Max Verstappen Blasts Reporter, Orders 'Get Out' Ahead of Japanese GP

Verstappen's fury, 'get out' in Suzuka press conference

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen orders Guardian journalist out of press conference, cites previous question.

Tension runs high as Max Verstappen clashes with journalist, refuses to start press conference until reporter leaves...

Max Verstappen got fiery ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, ordering a reporter to 'get out' of the press conference. The four-time world champion refused to start speaking until an English journalist from The Guardian was out of the room.

Verstappen sat down, looked unimpressed, and said, “I'm not speaking before he's leaving,” gesturing at the reporter. The journalist eventually left, and the press conference got underway.

Max Verstappen made the start of his press conference here in Suzuka today conditional on the absence of The Guardian journalist, Giles Richards.
“I’ll only start when he leaves.”

When questioned by the journalist about the reason, Max said it was because of the question he… pic.twitter.com/D1qX6f4XIq

— RBR Hub (@RBRHub) March 26, 2026

The journalist asked Verstappen if his demand was in response to a question he'd asked the driver last season. Verstappen's response was a simple “yes,” followed by a blunt “get out.” The reporter took the hint and left, while Verstappen carried on with the press conference like nothing had happened.

Max on Suzuka circuit: "This is normally a track of course which is very hard to pass at. Maybe with the way the racing has been this year you can pass. I hope I don't need to do as much passing as I had to do in China, but... I don't know."pic.twitter.com/3cMDXs7cK6

— RBR Hub (@RBRHub) March 26, 2026

The reporter explained to AFP that the drama was sparked by a question he'd asked Verstappen about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He'd asked about the impact of a penalty Verstappen got for bumping George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

"I'm not speaking before you leave the room..."

Max Verstappen refused to start his media session today until a journalist who had previously asked him about his incident with Russell in Barcelona last year had left 👀 pic.twitter.com/KSVZyWbEE6

— Autosport (@autosport) March 26, 2026

Basically, the question was still on Verstappen's mind months later. The reporter had asked if the penalty had cost Verstappen the title, and it seemed to still rankle with him.