Verstappen Orders Guardian Journalist to Leave Suzuka room

SUZUKA, Japan — Four-time world driving champion Max Verstappen refused to begin his pre-weekend print media session on Thursday at the Japanese Grand Prix until British Journalist Giles Richards of The Guardian left the room.

The exchange took place in Red Bull’s hospitality unit after Verstappen had completed his television duties. As soon as he sat down with the assembled journalists, Verstappen spotted Richards and immediately halted proceedings.

“I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” Verstappen said, pointing at the journalist.

Richards asked if Verstappen was serious and whether the demand related to a question he had asked at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen confirmed it did.

“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,” the Dutchman replied.

He added: “Yeah, it’s part of racing at 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.”

When Richards asked directly if he wanted him to leave, Max replied: “Get out.”

Richards left the room. Verstappen then said, “Now we can start,” and the session continued as normal.

The incident stems from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Verstappen lost the drivers’ championship to McLaren’s Lando Norris by two points. Richards asked Verstappen whether he regretted the controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier that season — an incident Verstappen later described as his “only point of criticism” of his 2025 campaign.

The media availability was a standard team-organized print session, not a mandatory FIA press conference. No statement has been issued by Red Bull Racing or the FIA.

After the journalist departed, Verstappen answered questions on other topics, including the last-minute FIA rule change reducing qualifying energy harvest to 8 MJ per lap and the challenges of the new 2026 cars at Suzuka’s high-speed layout.

Verstappen currently sits eighth in the 2026 drivers’ championship, with Red Bull fifth in the constructors’ standings.