Max Verstappen Ejects Journalist from Japanese Grand Prix Press Conference
During the press conference of the Japanese Grand Prix, a notable incident occurred involving Max Verstappen, who ejected Guardian journalist Giles Richards from the venue. This altercation arose from a provocative question posed to Verstappen during the prior season's finale held in Abu Dhabi.
Upon recognizing Richards among the journalists present, Verstappen declared, "One second - I'm not speaking before he's leaving." When Richards inquired about the seriousness of this statement, Verstappen responded bluntly with a "Yeah," and reiterated, "Get out."
After Richards left, Verstappen continued with the press session, stating, "Now we can start." Following the exchange, Richards conveyed his discontent in a column, expressing surprise at Verstappen's actions and noting that his colleagues expressed concern for his well-being. He underscored the journalist's responsibility to pose challenging inquiries as part of their profession.
The tension between Verstappen and Richards traces back to a question asked by Richards after the Abu Dhabi race regarding Verstappen's regret over a specific incident involving fellow driver George Russell earlier in the season. Verstappen's frustration was heightened by his disappointment in narrowly losing the drivers' championship to McLaren's Lando Norris.
A source close to Verstappen suggested that his response was influenced by both the nature of the question and the feedback he received when addressing it. Earlier that same weekend, Verstappen had engaged in discussions on similar issues during a BBC Sport interview.
In this interview, he reflected on his competitive racing style and the accompanying pressures, acknowledging his growth from such experiences and affirming that while he strives for success, not every outcome aligns with his expectations.
What Was Said
Max Verstappen: "One second, I'm not speaking before he's leaving."
Giles Richards: "Seriously?"
Verstappen: "Yeah."
Richards: "Because of the question last year?"
Verstappen: "Yeah."
Richards: "You want me to leave?"
Verstappen: "Yeah."
Richards: "It's because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi?"
Verstappen: "Yeah."
Richards: "About why you..."
Verstappen: "Yeah."
Richards: "About Spain?"
Verstappen: "Get out."
Richards: "You're really, really upset about it?"
Verstappen: "Get out. Get out. Now we can start."
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