Max Verstappen demands removal of British reporter before media duties
Max Verstappen refused to begin his media duties ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix until a British reporter left the room, reports BritPanorama.
The tense exchange occurred moments after the four-time world champion sat down for his print duties. Upon spotting the reporter, Verstappen stated, “I’m not speaking before he leaves.”
Last year, the journalist had asked Verstappen if he regretted deliberately driving into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, following a narrow defeat in the World Championship. The incident had led to Verstappen being sanctioned by the stewards, costing him nine championship points as he was demoted from fifth to tenth place in the race.
Apparently still aggrieved over that question, Verstappen demanded the reporter “get out” before he would speak. The journalist replied, “Seriously?” to which Verstappen confirmed, “Yep.”
As the confrontation escalated, the reporter attempted to clarify, asking, “Because of the question last year? You want me to leave?” Verstappen insisted, “Yeah,” leading to a brief argument before the journalist gathered his equipment and exited the hospitality suite.
After the exchange, Verstappen appeared ready to proceed with his media obligations, stating with a smile, “Now, we can start,” before conducting his ten-minute duties as scheduled.
Heading into the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen faces a challenging season, sitting 43 points adrift in the championship race following a tough start with his under-performing Red Bull RB22.Critics note that Verstappen has voiced serious concerns regarding the car’s drivability, describing the experience of tackling the circuit as “survival.” In prior statements, he remarked, “We changed a lot on the car and it made zero difference. It’s incredibly tough to drive.”
This ongoing scrutiny of performance and controversy may well shape the narrative around Verstappen’s season as he endeavours to reclaim his position as a title contender.
