Max Verstappen demands journalist leave media session at Japanese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen confronts journalist during Japanese Grand Prix media session, demanding exit over a past question about his championship.

Max Verstappen ordered a journalist to “get out” of a scheduled media session at Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday (March 26, 2026) after objecting to a question he asked last year.

“I’m not speaking before he's leaving," Verstappen said, indicating reporter Giles Richards of British newspaper The Guardian, as the question-and-answer session was due to begin in Red Bull's hospitality area.

Richards approached the table where Verstappen was sitting and tried to plead his case. Verstappen told him to "get out" and Richards left.

Verstappen indicated he objected to a question Richards asked in December after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Richards asked Verstappen whether losing out to Lando Norris by two points for the title might lead him to regret an incident earlier in the year when he collided with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. That earned Verstappen a time penalty, which cost the Dutch driver valuable points.

“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come,” Verstappen answered.