Max Verstappen explains drastic action against journalist

Max Verstappen has explained his decision to refuse to begin a media session at the Japanese Grand Prix until a journalist left the room, insisting it was a matter of "respect" following an earlier exchange between the pair.

The Red Bull driver delayed Thursday's scheduled press session in the team's hospitality at Suzuka after objecting to the presence of Guardian journalist Giles Richards, in an unusual move that quickly became a talking point in the paddock.

The incident stems from a question posed by Richards at the final round of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen narrowly missed out on the F1 title by two points to McLaren's Lando Norris.

The question related to Verstappen’s collision with George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix, an incident for which the Dutchman was hit with a 10-second time penalty, costing him nine points as he dropped from fifth to 10th in the classification. 

Verstappen said he had no issue with difficult or repeated questions but took exception to how the exchange was conducted.

"You can ask me anything," he said to Viaplay. "Of course, I get a lot of stupid questions, but I answer those too — that’s not the problem. I don’t think I’m hard to approach at all.

"I answered that question more than 20 times last season. But after the last race, someone asked it again in the press conference and was laughing in my face. To me, that shows a complete lack of respect. If you don't give me respect, why should I give you respect?"

Verstappen claimed the tone of the exchange, rather than the subject matter, prompted his reaction.

"You only see the camera on me, but not on the person asking the question," the Dutchman said. "He was laughing, and you could clearly see there was intent behind it.

"I've been in Formula 1 long enough to know when something is meant well or not. For me, that was enough — then you're not welcome."

Can the relationship be mended?

Richards, however, has rejected the suggestion of disrespect in his account of the incident, describing Verstappen's response as disproportionate and defending the legitimacy of the question in the context of a high-profile and controversial moment in the season.

He also noted the importance of scrutiny in Formula 1, particularly when drivers are involved in incidents with sporting consequences.

Asked whether he would revisit the matter with Richards, Verstappen was non-committal. "We'll see about that later. Not now," he said.

The four-time F1 champion was otherwise keen to play down the significance of the row, insisting his focus remains firmly on performance.

"What I look back on is that I need to go faster here," he added. "That’s what it's all about for me. I don't dwell on what happens on Thursday. I'm very clear about that, and then it's over.

"After that, I focus on more important things — working with the engineers to make the car faster."

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