After a scandal with a reporter
Verstappen has to explain himself to Red Bull boss
Updated March 28, 2026 – 9:51 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Before the Formula 1 race in Japan, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen threw a journalist out of a press conference, and now there were consequences for the Dutchman.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies asked Max Verstappen for a one-on-one meeting on Friday morning in Suzuka, Japan. This is reported by “Bild” after the scandal broke out in front of a press conference on Thursday. During the conversation, Makies is said to have clearly told his top driver that Red Bull did not approve of this behavior.
At the same time, the Frenchman also listened to Verstappen’s point of view. Nevertheless, the Dutchman did not respect Red Bull’s values, but no punishment should follow.
On Thursday, Verstappen refused to start a mandatory media round at Red Bull Hospitality until Giles Richards, an English journalist from the Guardian, had left the energy drink manufacturer’s premises.
The background: After the last season finale, when Verstappen missed the World Championship, the journalist asked critically whether his behavior at the race in Spain had cost him the title. A question that Verstappen apparently still hasn’t processed.
In Barcelona in the middle of last season, Verstappen had a tough duel with Mercedes driver George Russell. His own team instructed the 28-year-old to let Russell go. However, Verstappen rammed the Brit as he tried to pass, which resulted in a penalty. The Red Bull driver only finished tenth and lost points in the World Championship fight.
The expelled journalist has since commented on the incident: “I’ve never been asked to leave a press conference,” said Richards. “This is an extremely rare incident for a journalist in Formula 1. Hardly anyone can remember one or two similar examples.”
