Four-time world champion Max Verstappen banned a British journalist from a Formula One?press conference ?ahead of this weekend¡¯s Japanese Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Racing driver refused to speak to reporters at Suzuka Circuit?on Thursday until Giles Richards of The Guardian left the room.
¡°I¡¯m not speaking before he¡¯s leaving,¡± Verstappen said.
According to ?Motorsport.com, Verstappen¡¯s vexation dates back to a post-race media session following last ?year¡¯s ?Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In that race, the 28-year-old Dutchman ?fell two points short of winning his fifth consecutive driver¡¯s title following a late-season push.
Richards asked Verstappen about a collision with Mercedes driver George Russell ?at the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1. The collision prompted a 10-second penalty ?that knocked Verstappen down five places in the finishing order and cost him precious points.
¡°You forget all the other stuff ?that happened in my season,¡± ?Verstappen snapped back at the time. ¡°The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that (question) would come. You¡¯re giving ?me a stupid ?grin now.
¡°I don¡¯t know. Yeah, it¡¯s part of ?racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship ?is one ?of 24 rounds. I¡¯ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.¡±
Richards published his own version of the events on ?Thursday, saying he was ¡°deeply disappointed¡± that Verstappen gave him the boot and acknowledged that he had ¡°seemingly touched a raw nerve.¡±
¡°When he saw me he stared, smiled and declared he would not speak until I left. In the course of ?a ?brief 30-second exchange, he told me to ¡¯get out¡¯ twice. ?I have never been asked to leave a press conference,¡± Richards wrote.
Richards ?said his media colleagues were ¡°universally shocked¡± by the incident.
¡°Marching orders received I duly departed,¡± he wrote. ¡°Verstappen had been smiling throughout the exchange. Perhaps he was simply enjoying the power dynamic? The day carried on; ?there are far more serious issues in the world than an F1 driver being cross with you.¡±
Verstappen ranks eighth in the F1 standings through two races after finishing sixth in the March 7 opener at Qatar and 16th at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15.
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