Source:REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] Before the Japanese Grand Prix had even officially started, a controversy over a media interview was already brewing on and off the paddock. At a media session in Suzuka, Max Verstappen publicly demanded that a particular journalist leave the area or he would refuse to be interviewed — a move that quickly drew criticism.
The incident occurred during the routine pre-race media window. After Verstappen entered Red Bull’s interview area, he made it clear he would not speak until the specified journalist had left, even identifying the reporter by name. After a brief standoff the journalist left and Verstappen said, “Now we can start.” The interview then proceeded as normal.
The flashpoint can be traced back to the end of the 2025 season. During the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that journalist had asked Verstappen whether he regretted a controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix — a question widely seen as the trigger for the Suzuka incident. The journalist later wrote a response for the media, saying he and Verstappen had conducted many interviews before and that their interactions had generally been friendly; his critical coverage, he said, was only applied when necessary. He added that he was disappointed by Verstappen’s actions and reported receiving online abuse afterward.
The writer believes the episode highlights growing tensions between sports stars and the media. In an age of fragmented information, drivers increasingly prefer to speak directly via social platforms rather than rely on traditional outlets. While Verstappen’s frustration may be understandable, publicly expelling a journalist is controversial and could harm his long-term relationship with mainstream media.