Max Verstappen calls journalist a "dirty man" in press conference after Belgian Grand Prix win

Max Verstappen branded a journalist a "dirty man" in a hilarious Formula One press conference quip after winning an eighth consecutive race.

The Dutchman came from sixth on the grid - following a five-grid penalty imposed ahead of qualifying on Friday - to win the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finished 22 seconds behind in second, with Ferrari's Charles LeClerc completing the podium in third.

The dominant Verstappen has won 10 out of 12 races in 23 and now sits 125 points clear of Perez in the F1 Championship standings.

The 25-year-old is almost nailed on to win the F1 title for the third year on the trot but will now embark on a four-week break ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix on home soil on 27 August.

In the post-race presser, a Brazilian journalist asked Verstappen, Perez and LeClerc how they would be spending their time off.

Image: Getty

That led to Verstappen making a joke about wrist training in what was an apparent reference to him telling his team he had to "hold the wheel really tight" during Sunday's race because of the wind.

However, the comment could have quite easily have been misinterpreted as an innuendo, which led to Verstappen playfully insulting the media member.

“A lot of cardio and a lot of wrist training,” Verstappen replied when asked about his plans for the next month.

“And not what you think it is, you’re a dirty man.”

He then made a comical gesture with his hand as both Perez and LeClerc laughed. It proved to be the final question of the press conference.

Image: Getty

Verstappen was clearly in the mood for trolling, even doing so in the race itself. His team radio message got people talking, with many feeling as though it summed up his season so far.

While in the lead he told his team, “I can also push a bit more and that we do another pit stop, a bit of pit stop training.”

However, his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase wasn't having the joke and said: “No, not this time.”

Verstappen is just one win away from equalling Sebastian Vettel's record of nine wins in a row and could well do it in Zandvoort next month.

Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Lewis Hamilton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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