Why Verstappen removed journalist from his Japan F1 media session
Max Verstappen refused to start his media session on Thursday at Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix until one journalist had left it.
Verstappen's standard pre-weekend media session was held in Red Bull's hospitality on Thursday afternoon at Suzuka but, as the first question was asked, Verstappen interrupted to make a clear demand.
"One second; I'm not speaking before he's leaving," Verstappen said in reference to The Guardian's F1 representative, because of the following question being asked at last year's Abu Dhabi GP, shortly after missing out on a fifth-successive F1 title.
Question: Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points. What do you think now about the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you regret that, looking back in hindsight?
Max Verstappen: You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that 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.
Verstappen's exchange at Suzuka with the same journalist suggested the four-time F1 champion is still harbouring anger over the post-race question in Abu Dhabi.
Journalist: Seriously?
Verstappen: Yeah.
Journalist: Because of the question last year?
MV: Yeah.
Journalist: You want me to leave?
MV: Yeah.
Journalist: Because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi about why...about Spain?
MV: Yep. Get out.
Journalist: You're really, really that upset about it?
MV: Get out.
MV: Now we can start.
Verstappen had already singled out to Dutch broadcaster ViaPlay in November last year that his Barcelona red-mist moment - that culminated in him colliding with George Russell - was his "only point of criticism" he had about his 2025 campaign.
"What happened there, of course, wasn't great, but it also came from the fact that I really care," Verstappen added.
"I could also have said, 'My car isn't fast, I’ll let it go'."
Verstappen subsequently conducted his Suzuka media session without further interruption, where the majority of questions centred on his on-the-road victory - and subsequent disqualification - at the Nordschleife last weekend and his preparations for his Nurburgring 24 Hours debut later this year, as well as the last-minute rule change F1 has made for qualifying this weekend.
He and Red Bull are hoping for a stronger Japanese GP after a tricky start to 2026; Verstappen is only eighth in the drivers' championship, with Red Bull fifth in the constructors' standings.
