Max Verstappen refuses to start Japan media session because of ugly interaction
Max Verstappen refused to start his media session in Japan on Thursday due to the presence of one unlucky journalist.
Red Bull driver Verstappen hasn’t had much to smile about at the start of the 2026 season, with the Dutchman already branding F1 under the 50/50 power unit regulations as less fun, while also comparing it to Formula E.
In the season’s opener in Melbourne, the four-time world champion finished sixth behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
A week later in Shanghai, the 28-year-old did not finish the Chinese Grand Prix and was forced to retire after 45 laps due to a loss of power in the RB22 near the end of the race.
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Despite having a week off from F1 – although he did take part in the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS2) last weekend – Verstappen’s mood has not improved.
On Thursday (26 March), the Red Bull man refused to begin his media obligations until The Guardian’s F1 journalist left the room.
The feud dates back to a question the journalist asked Verstappen after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points,” the journalist said at the time. “What do you think now about the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you regret that, looking back?”
Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for colliding with Russell in Barcelona, meaning he finished tenth in the race rather than fifth, costing him nine championship points.
The Red Bull man replied: “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. I don’t know. Yeah, it’s part of racing in 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.”
At Suzuka, the driver made it clear that he has still not forgiven the journalist for his previous line of questioning.
“You want me to leave?” the journalist asked on Thursday, before Verstappen answered: “Yeah.”
“Because of the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi about why… about Spain?” the reporter continued.
Verstappen replied: “Yep. Get out.”
The journalist did not stop there, though, and responded: “You’re really, really that upset about it?”
But Verstappen remained firm in his stance, adding: “Get out. Now we can start.”
The Japanese Grand Prix takes place on March 29 before the sport takes a five-week hiatus due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing
Luke Davies