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Why F1 superstar kicked journo out of Q&A
SEN • March 27th, 2026 11:51 am
- Qualifying in Japan at 5pm AEDT Sat March 28
- The Grand prix is 4pm AEDT Sunday March 29
Max Verstappen is known to have a short fuse and it was on display in Japan where he refused to continue with a press conference until a journalist was kicked out.
An open Q & A session in Red Bull’s hospitality area was delayed until Giles Richards of the UK Guardian was escorted out.
The grudge it seems stems back to December when Richards asked the four-time world champion if he regretted a crash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix which cost him the points that some could argue handed Lando Norris the title.
“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come,” Verstappen said at the time.
“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.”
On Thursday afternoon ahead of the third race of the 2026 season at the Suzuka track, Verstappen said: “I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.”
Not long after Richards had departed, his article appeared on the Guardian website in which he wrote: "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.
"Marching orders received, I duly departed. 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."
It’s been a rough start to the new campaign for both Red Bulls.
Verstappen and new teammate Isack Hadjar have both been off the pace set by Mercedes and Ferrari.
The Dutchman finished sixth at the season opener in Australia and was forced to retire a fortnight ago in China.
