The Dutch pilot Max Verstappen refused to start the press conference previewing the Japanese Grand Prix while British journalist Giles Richards remained in the room, leading to a moment of tension before the round held in Suzuka.
As soon as he sat down to answer questions from the journalists present, the Red Bull driver identified the reporter from The Guardian and made his position clear. “Get out of here”, he stated several times, adding: “I won’t speak before he leaves”. Only after Richards left the scene did Verstappen normally begin the press conference with the rest of the media.
The episode originates from an exchange of words that occurred at the end of last season, after the last race of the 2025 championship, when Verstappen lost the world title to Lando Norris by a difference of two points. At the time, when asked by Richards whether the incident with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix had been decisive in the loss of the championship, the Dutchman reacted critically.
“You forget everything else that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would happen. And now you have that stupid smile. It’s part of racing. You live and learn.”the pilot then replied.
At the press conference in Japan, as the journalist remained in the room, Verstappen maintained the same stance and simply repeated: “Get out of here. Get out of here”, refusing to answer any questions until the situation was resolved. After Giles Richards left, the four-time world champion continued the session normally for around ten minutes, answering the other questions asked by the journalists present.
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