Max Verstappen explains why he kicked out British journalist from F1 media session

Max Verstappen has explained why he ejected a British journalist from his Suzuka media session at the Japanese Grand Prix.

On Thursday (March 24), the four-time world champion refused to start his session with the written media after spotting Giles Richards, a journalist from The Guardian, at the event.

Upon noticing Richards, a visibly frustrated Verstappen said: "One second – I'm not speaking before he's leaving."

As well as asking if he was serious, Richards questioned whether his outburst was down to a question he had asked in the news conference after last season's final race in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen responded with a simple "yeah" before asking the journalist to "get out". He eventually got the media session underway after Richards left the room.

Verstappen has explained why he dismissed a British journalist from his media session in Japan. Image credit: Getty

As noted in Richards' recent column for The Guardian, he asked the Red Bull driver what his thoughts were on his apparently deliberate ram into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.

"After the season finale in Abu Dhabi I asked him how he felt about that incident and whether he had any regrets, a question that had to be asked. Verstappen took umbrage," wrote Richards.

In the press conference, Verstappen replied to Richards, saying: “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.”

Earlier this week, Richards said he was "taken aback by the vehemence of his reply" and it "might have prompted a nervous smile." He added: "But I did not think it was funny, nor was I enjoying myself at his expense."

Max Verstappen explains why he removed Giles Richards from media session in Japan

Shortly after qualifying 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, Verstappen explained his decision to remove Richards from the media session.

“So when someone asks that question during the press conference after the last race and also laughs in your face, to me that has to do with a complete lack of respect,” he told Viaplay.

“If you don’t give me respect, why would I give you respect?

“You only see the camera pointed at me and not at that person, who just started laughing. And you could clearly see that there was malicious intent behind it at that moment.

“That is enough for me. I have been in Formula 1 long enough to know who has good intentions and who has bad intentions. If you go and laugh at me right there, you clearly don’t have good intentions.”