Max Verstappen sparked a tense moment during the first media session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. The Red Bull driver was involved in a heated exchange with The Guardian journalist Giles Richards, refusing to begin answering questions until the reporter left the room due to a previous interaction between the two.
“I’m not speaking before he leaves,” the 28-year-old Formula 1 driver said, as reported by the RacingNews365 Staff. When Richards asked whether he was serious, Verstappen confirmed his stance with a brief reply, “Yep.”
The exchange quickly escalated as the journalist attempted to clarify the situation. “Because of the question last year? You want me to leave?” Richards asked. “Yeah,” the four-time world champion replied.
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Richards then asked whether the issue stemmed from a question he had asked during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. “It’s just the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi? About Spain?” To which Verstappen responded, “Get out.”
When the journalist asked whether he was still upset about the incident, the Dutch driver repeated the instruction, “Yeah, get out.”
Background of the Abu Dhabi Media Clash
Verstappen’s reaction in Japan appears to trace back to an exchange with the same journalist during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. At that time, the Dutch driver had narrowly missed out on securing a fifth world title, finishing just two points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in the championship standings.
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During the post-race media session, Richards raised a controversial moment from earlier in the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen made contact with Mercedes driver George Russell after turning into him during an on-track battle.
The incident resulted in a 10-second time penalty that dropped the Red Bull driver from fifth place to tenth in the race, ultimately costing him nine championship points.
With the title decided by such a narrow margin, Richards asked Verstappen whether he regretted the move in hindsight. The Red Bull driver responded sharply, suggesting the question overlooked the wider context of his season.
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“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come,” Verstappen said. “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.”
He then added, “I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
Max Verstappen Continues Japan Media Session
The tension from that Abu Dhabi exchange appeared to carry over into the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
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Following the confrontation, Richards left the media session, allowing the discussion with the remaining journalists to continue.
With the situation resolved in the room, Max Verstappen proceeded with the rest of his Japanese Grand Prix media duties as teams prepared for another key weekend in the 2026 Formula 1 season, as the FIA confirms a last-minute rule change.