Four-time world champion Max Verstappen banned a British journalist from a Formula 1 press conference ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Racing driver refused to speak to reporters in Suzuka on Thursday until Giles Richards of The Guardian left the room.
“I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” Verstappen said.
According to Motorsport.com, Verstappen’s vexation dates back to a post-race media session following last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In that race, the 28-year-old Dutchman fell two points short of winning his fifth consecutive driver’s title following a late-season push.
Richards asked Verstappen about a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1. The collision prompted a 10-second penalty that knocked Verstappen down five places in the finishing order and cost him precious points.
“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season,” Verstappen snapped back at the time. “The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that (question) would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now.
“I don’t know. Yeah, it’s part of racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
Richards published his own version of the events on Thursday, saying he was “deeply disappointed” that Verstappen gave him the boot and acknowledged that he had “seemingly touched a raw nerve.”
“When he saw me he stared, smiled and declared he would not speak until I left. In the course of a brief 30-second exchange, he told me to ‘get out’ twice. I have never been asked to leave a press conference,” Richards wrote.
Richards said his media colleagues were “universally shocked” by the incident.
“Marching orders received I duly departed,” he wrote. “Verstappen had been smiling throughout the exchange. Perhaps he was simply enjoying the power dynamic? The day carried on; there are far more serious issues in the world than an F1 driver being cross with you.”
Verstappen ranks eighth in the F1 standings through two races after finishing sixth in the March 7 opener at Qatar and 16th at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15.
–Field Level Media
