Suzuka, Japan – Max Verstappen’s simmering tension with the media boiled over Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, as the four-time Formula 1 world champion demanded the removal of The Guardian’s Giles Richards from a scheduled press conference. The incident, a direct consequence of a question posed nearly four months ago, underscores a growing friction between the dominant driver and certain segments of the motorsport press, particularly those from the United Kingdom. The confrontation highlights the intense scrutiny Verstappen faces as he continues his pursuit of further championships and the lengths to which he’ll go to control the narrative surrounding his career.
Verstappen refused to initiate the press conference until Richards had left the Red Bull hospitality area, stating bluntly, “I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” and then, “Get out.” The issue stems from a question Richards asked during the post-race press conference at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a question that revisited a controversial incident from earlier in the season and, contributed to Verstappen losing the championship by a mere two points. This isn’t an isolated event; Verstappen has a documented history of strained interactions with the media, often fueled by perceived unfair criticism or a focus on past incidents.
The Spark: A Question About Spain and a Lost Championship
The root of Verstappen’s ire lies in a question posed after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the season. Richards’ inquiry centered on Verstappen’s 10-second penalty during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, a penalty that dropped him from fifth to tenth place, costing him crucial championship points. ESPN reported at the time that George Russell of Mercedes believed the collision was deliberate. The exchange, as recorded and widely circulated, revealed Verstappen’s frustration:
Journalist: “Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points. What do you think now about the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you regret that looking back in hindsight?”
Verstappen: “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 at the conclude. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve too had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
The “Christmas presents” comment was interpreted as a veiled reference to perceived favorable calls or incidents that benefited his rivals. The question, and Verstappen’s perceived defensive response, clearly lingered, resurfacing months later in Suzuka.
A Pattern of Conflict
This incident is not an anomaly in Verstappen’s relationship with the media. In 2018, he reportedly threatened to “headbutt someone” after repeated questioning about his reputation for on-track collisions. In 2022, Verstappen boycotted Sky Sports F1 coverage during the Mexico Grand Prix weekend, citing “disrespectful” reporting, specifically calling out reporter Ted Kravitz for suggesting Lewis Hamilton was unfairly denied the 2021 championship in Abu Dhabi.
More recently, after securing his fourth world title in Qatar in 2024, Verstappen voiced his frustration with the composition of the F1 media corps, stating, “The problem in F1 is that 80 to 85% of the media is British.” He added, “And I did feel that some things which were written about me were not fair.” This statement, coupled with the events in Suzuka, suggests a broader pattern of antagonism towards British journalists, though Verstappen has not explicitly detailed the basis for this sentiment.
The Exchange in Suzuka
The scene in Suzuka unfolded quickly. Verstappen, upon noticing Richards in the media pen, immediately halted proceedings. The following exchange, as reported by multiple sources, was terse:
Verstappen: “One second, I’m not speaking before he’s leaving.”
Journalist: “Seriously?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “Because of the question last year?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “You want me to abandon?”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “Just because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi.”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About why you…”
Verstappen: “Yeah.”
Journalist: “About Spain.”
Verstappen: “Get out.”
Journalist: “You’re really, really that upset about it?”
Verstappen: “Get out. Yeah. Get out.”
Following Richards’ departure, Verstappen simply stated, “Now we can start.” ESPN has reached out to Richards for comment but has not yet received a response.
Implications for Media Access and Championship Pressure
This incident raises questions about the boundaries of access and the responsibilities of both drivers and journalists in Formula 1. Although drivers are entitled to protect themselves from what they perceive as unfair or biased reporting, outright expulsion of a credentialed journalist sets a potentially troubling precedent. It could lead to a chilling effect on questioning and a narrowing of perspectives in media coverage. The FIA, the governing body of Formula 1, has not yet commented on the situation.
the intensity of Verstappen’s reaction suggests the lingering weight of the 2025 championship loss. Despite his dominant performance in 2024, the memory of narrowly missing out on a title – a title he felt was within his grasp – appears to still resonate. As he prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix, and the continuing battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris, the pressure to maintain his championship form is immense, and any perceived slight or reminder of past setbacks is clearly met with strong resistance.
The next step will be observing how Verstappen interacts with the media throughout the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. The FIA is expected to address the incident in a briefing scheduled for Friday morning. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if this marks a further escalation in Verstappen’s conflict with the press, or if it remains an isolated incident.
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