Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Formula 1
Tom Jenkins
F1 Journalist Will Buxton has hit back at Max Verstappen after the Dutchman poked fun at the British press during his post-Brazil Grand Prix press conference.
Verstappen put one hand on the championship trophy in Brazil after he cut through the field from 17th to take the win, whilst Lando Norris went from 1st to 6th.
The three-time world champion could add a fourth in Las Vegas if his championship lead is 60 or more (currently 62).
Following the race Verstappen took a sly dig at the British press by suggesting their lack of attendance at the presser was down to disappointment at the race result.
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"I have a quick question here. I mean I appreciate all of you being here, but I don't see any British press?" He said.
"Did they have to run to the airport? Or do they not know where the press conference is…? Do you know? No clue?"
Verstappen's fellow podium sitters Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly couldn't help but smile as Verstappen's comments sent the room into laughter.
The 27-year-old's comments haven't gone down particularly well with Drive to Survive's Will Buxton, who has provided a full explanation on X.
"Max’s cheeky post-race dig at the UK press not being there probably needs a bit of context. I haven’t been to a post-race presser in years as I’m always on air. For print press the race is a hectic time of driver pen and ad hoc team boss interviews conducted in the paddock itself," he began.
Buxton claimed that because a full transcript of the FIA presser is always made available, the British press focussed on getting their own unique quotes in the paddock.
"If you’re British, then a Lewis, Lando, George in the top 3 probably gives a bit of sway to being there but not always," he added.
"Usually only if there’s a controversy that needs addressing would you sacrifice searching out often unique quotes for a fully transcribed official session."
Buxton is a very respected figure in the world of F1 and has been the iconic voice of Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' which catapulted the sport into the mainstream over the last few years.