The journalist who was removed by Max Verstappen during his media session for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix reveals how he subsequently received abuse.
Verstappen wasn’t in any mood to entertain a certain F1 journalist during a Red Bull media session at the Suzuka International Circuit, on Thursday.
The four-time F1 Champion refused to begin the press conference until the journalist in question was removed.
“One second. I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” he had said. Verstappen was seemingly miffed about a question he had asked him at the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP post-race presser.
The Red Bull driver was left unhappy on that occasion after he was asked if he holds his actions at the Spanish GP – where he clashed with George Russell earning himself a 10-second time penalty – responsible for losing out on the drivers’ title by just two points.
The particular journalist in question has revealed the messages that he has received in the aftermath of this incident.
“Within two hours someone had tracked down my email. ‘You’re the problem. You’re the toxic dipsh*t who’s responsible for the whole British bias in F1. You’re the worst,” he wrote in a column for The Guardian.
F1 journalist hopes for ‘better relationship’ with Max Verstappen
Despite conflicting opinions about the incident itself, the journalist doesn’t harbour any ill-will towards the Dutchman.
In fact, he wishes for a “better relationship” with the 28-year-old going forward.
“I still admire Verstappen and I hope we can enjoy a better relationship in the future,” he continued.
“Sometimes, difficult, awkward questions have to be asked. That’s the job that comes with the privilege.”
Verstappen would have this incident in his rear view mirror already with the opening two practice sessions of the weekend now in the bag.
Heading into qualifying, the Dutchman seems to be in the hunt for successive Q3 appearances, after China, but is still quite a way back from the Mercedes in his RB22.
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