Verstappen expels journalist from news conference
Max Verstappen ejected a journalist from his news conference at the Japanese Grand Prix because of a row that dates back to last year's season finale in Abu Dhabi. The Red Bull driver refused to start his session with the written media at Suzuka on Thursday after spotting the Guardian's Giles Richards among the journalists present. Verstappen said: "One second - I'm not speaking before he's leaving.
" Richards asked whether Verstappen was serious, and whether it was to do with a question he had asked in the news conference after the final race of last season. Verstappen responded to each of Richards' questions with a curt: "Yeah," before adding: "Get out. " When Richards left the room, Verstappen said: "Now we can start.
" Verstappen's problem with Richards arises from a question the Briton asked after the race in Abu Dhabi last year. The Dutchman won but was unable to prevent himself losing out on the drivers' title to McLaren's Lando Norris by two points. Richards asked after the race whether Verstappen now "regretted" his incident with Mercedes' George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix in June earlier that year.
Verstappen appeared to deliberately drive into Russell's car and was given a penalty that dropped him from fifth on the road to 10th. That cost him nine points. Verstappen responded: "You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season.
The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You're giving me a stupid grin now.