Max Verstappen kicks out journalist at Japanese GP media session

Max Verstappen kicked a journalist out of his media session ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

The four-time F1 champion refused to speak at the start of his media session in the Red Bull hospitality unit at Suzuka until the journalist concerned had left, before then answering questions as usual.

Verstappen's unhappiness in Japan stemmed from a question posed by the journalist in Abu Dhabi last year after Verstappen had missed out on a fifth title by two points to McLaren's Lando Norris.

The question related to an incident during the Spanish Grand Prix earlier last season, when Verstappen deliberately turned into the Mercedes of George Russell, incurring a 10-second time penalty, dropping him from fifth to 10th and costing him nine points.

Verstappen was asked whether, with hindsight, he regretted what had unfolded. A clearly irritated Verstappen replied, "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 in 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."

At Suzuka, Verstappen interrupted the opening question being asked by another journalist after spotting the reporter who had annoyed him in Abu Dhabi, sparking an exchange.

"I'm not speaking before he leaves," said the Dutch driver.

"Seriously?" asked the journalist, to which Verstappen replied, "Yep."

The exchange continued:

Journalist: "Because of the question last year?"

Verstappen: "Yeah."

Journalist: "You want me to leave?"

Verstappen: "Yeah."

Journalist: "It's just the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi?"

Verstappen: "Yeah."

Journalist: "About Spain?"

Verstappen: "Get out."

Journalist: "You're really that upset about it?"

Verstappen: "Yeah, get out."