Juuso Taipale
Max Verstappen’s behavior is unequivocally embarrassing, writes Iltalehti’s F1 editor Juuso Taipale.
Max Verstappen’s tantrum hit his own ankle. PDO
Max Verstappen is a sensitive guy.
It was demonstrated in the Suzuka pit, when the Red Bull star yelled at a reporter.
Verstappen did not agree to start his press conference until British newspaper Guardian reporter Giles Richards left the scene.
The reason was that Richards was a reporter. A journalist who asks questions. Even the unpleasant ones.
Because that’s what journalism is. Unfortunately, in the hair-stroking PR communication of the F1 pit, almost extinct.
Verstappen may have thought he was showing the signs of an alpha male. In reality, he was just embarrassing himself.
Verstappen lost the world championship by two points last season.
The championship fell unequivocally in the Spanish GP crash. Verstappen deliberately crashed in the final moments of the race and dropped from fifth place to tenth as a result of a time penalty. The brain fart cost the Dutchman nine World Championship points.
Richards asked Verstappen after the season finale last year if he regretted the events in Barcelona?
Verstappen did not like the question, which was uncomfortable for him. It forced him to face the consequences of his ugly act.
A perfectly valid question, it obviously got emotional. For what other reason would he have come back to it four months later in the childish manner seen now?
Verstappen decided to pip Richards at Suzuka, but the journalist took this fight away.
Richards did the right thing when he marveled at Verstappen’s insistence on leaving the press conference. Questioning the requirement became the biggest talking point of Thursday’s media day. This would not have happened if Richards had sheepishly obeyed the Dutchman’s order from the first pitch.
Richards’ exemplary action collided with Verstappen’s own ankle. The journalist, who has never done anything wrong, managed to show Verstappen’s pettiness.
Unfortunately, F1 and journalism do not go hand in hand, but this was a small spark of hope.
Finally, a look at the comments section.
Verstappen’s actions were understood. Of course, because editor can never be right.
– A good reason to throw the journalist out, that opportunity was not meant to dig up old things, one wrote.
On that occasion, the reporter wasn’t digging up old things, Verstappen was. In addition, old things should be dug up if they have news value.
– That’s right. Journalists imagine that they have the right to everything and there are no limits.
The reporter has the right, and the obligation, to ask questions. The events in Barcelona were of such enormous importance for the World Cup that Richards’ question was fully justified.
– Max did exactly the right thing, yes even journalists have to respect the interviewees.
Respect should by no means prevent you from asking difficult questions.
Perhaps people’s completely wrong perception of a journalist’s job description is best explained by the comment that garnered the most reactions on Autosport’s social media.
– Journalists’ job is to report.
So just tell what happened. No questions asked.
Huh, what a thought.
