Max Verstappen tells journalist to leave press conference at Japanese GP over question about 2025

The four-time world champion of Fórmula 1 Max Verstappen interrupted the start of his press conference before Grande Prêmio of Japão, in The Red Bull pilot demanded that a reporter from the The Guardian newspaper leave the room immediately. The measure took place this Thursday, March 26, 2026, in the team’s hospitality unit. Verstappen only agreed to answer the questions after the professional left the location.

The reason given by the Dutchman refers to a question asked at the post-race press conference of the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP. On that occasion, the journalist asked Verstappen about any regrets over the incident with The collision generated a time penalty, caused the Red Bull driver to fall from position and cost nine championship points. Verstappen finished the 2025 season as runner-up, just two points away from the title.

Immediate reaction at the press conference in Suzuka

Verstappen sat down for the press session and, before the first question, pointed to the back of the room. Ele declared that he would not start responding while the reporter remained present. Quando the professional questioned whether the order was serious, the pilot confirmed directly and repeated the request for him to leave. The journalist collected his equipment and left the room after a brief exchange of words.

After leaving, Verstappen announced that the press conference could begin normally. The remainder of the session passed without further incident. Topics covered included the driver’s recent participation in a sports car race at the Nürburgring the previous weekend and a lap performed in an Nissan GT-R at the Fuji Speedway circuit earlier in the week.

Details of the incident that led to the expulsion

The 2025 episode in Barcelona involved a dispute between Verstappen and George Russell in the final laps. The Dutchman received a penalty for directing his car against that of Mercedes, which resulted in the loss of positions and important points in the fight for the title. At Abu Dhabi’s press conference, at the end of the season, the same reporter brought up the topic again and asked if Verstappen had any regrets about that moment.

In the response given at the time, Verstappen highlighted that the season had several other events and criticized the exclusive focus on the Spanish incident. Ele mencionou ainda notar um sorriso no rosto do jornalista durante a pergunta. The video of that exchange of words gained repercussions on social media at the time.

• The incident at Barcelona cost Verstappen nine points in 2025.
• The final difference for the champion was just two points at the end of the Abu Dhabi GP.
• The reporter involved is considered respected in the Fórmula 1 paddock.

💥 Verstappen boycotts an English journalist from The Guardian!

❌ “Don’t talk until you leave”

👉 Este journalist was the one who asked him in Abu Dhabi if he regretted what happened in

Video of what happened between them ⬇️pic.twitter.com/UEIXtJmF9b

—Nachez (@Nachez98)March 26, 2026

Context of the 2026 season to date

The 2026 season of Fórmula 1 brought completely new cars, which Verstappen has already publicly criticized for being unfun and with features that make overtaking difficult. The driver accumulated just eight points in the first two stages of the year. Na Austrália, he started 20th after an accident in qualifying and finished sixth. Na China, abandoned the race after classifying the car as difficult to drive.

Despite initial results below expectations, Verstappen maintains a prominent position on the grid. The Red Bull team is seeking adjustments to the new technical regulations to improve performance in the upcoming races. The Japão GP represents an opportunity for recovery on a circuit traditionally favorable to the Dutchman’s driving style.

Verstappen’s history of interactions with the press

Verstappen had already adopted a similar stance on other occasions. In 2022, at the México GP, he refused to speak to a specific television channel after considering the coverage disrespectful in relation to previous episodes. The pilot resumed interactions with the vehicle after some time, stating that he had overcome the disagreement.

These episodes show the direct and sometimes tense relationship that the pilot has with some members of the media. Verstappen tends to value objective questions and shows irritation when he considers that the focus falls excessively on specific facts from the past to the detriment of the general context of the season.

Preparing for the weekend in Suzuka

The press conference continued with discussions about the spectacle of qualifying in Suzuka and expectations for the race on the Japanese circuit. Verstappen commented on technical aspects of the layout and the conditions that the new generation of cars presents on high-speed tracks. The Japão GP qualifying session is scheduled to take place in the next few hours, with the main race on Sunday.

The presence of Verstappen continues to attract great attention from the international press, especially in moments of controversy such as the one recorded this Thursday. The driver remains one of the main figures in the category even in a challenging start to the season with the 2026 regulations.

The episode reinforces the four-time champion’s frank style when dealing with issues he considers repetitive or inappropriate. The Red Bull team has not issued an official position on what happened at the press conference so far.