Max Verstappen fires 'stupid grin' remark after Spain regret question

Max Verstappen fired back at a journalist after missing out on the 2025 F1 drivers' title, following a question over whether he regretted his red mist moment in Barcelona.

Verstappen converted pole position into victory to win the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, although he fell two points short of the title after Lando Norris finished in third. 

Had Norris finished off the podium, Verstappen would have sealed a record-equalling fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title; however, he will now not run the #1 for the first time since 2021.

The Dutchman almost completed the most remarkable of comebacks having been 104 points adrift after Zandvoort, and would have won the title if not for one particular incident. 

Verstappen lost nine points in the Spanish GP after purposefully driving into Mercedes' George Russell when instructed by Red Bull to hand him fourth place. 

A penalty saw the 28-year finish in 10th instead of fifth, a moment which has proven pivotal in Norris securing a maiden drivers' title. 

In the post-race top three press conference after the season finale, Verstappen was asked if he now regretted what he did in Barcelona, resulting in a fiery response.

"Did you forget all the other stuff that happened in my season?" asked Verstappen. "The only thing you mentioned is Barcelona, I knew that would come. Yep.

After pausing for a few seconds, a disgruntled Verstappen said: "Are you giving me a stupid grin now? I don't know. Yeah, it's part of racing at the end. You know, you live and learn.

"The championship is one over 24 rounds. I've also had a lot of Christmas presents, early Christmas presents given to me in the second half [of the season]. So you can also question that."