After the Formula 1 season finale
“Stupid grin”: Verstappen drives at reporters
December 7, 2025 – 9:15 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The now dethroned Formula 1 world champion reacts irritably to a question after the last race of the season. Topic: A misfire a few months ago, which may have even been decisive in the end.
After four world championship titles in a row for Max Verstappen, Lando Norris has broken the Red Bull driver’s streak. In a thrilling season finale, the McLaren driver dethroned the Dutchman. In the overall ranking, after a furious comeback in the final races, Verstappen was only two points behind Norris in the end.
After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen, whose victory was ultimately not enough to clinch the title, answered questions at the press conference. And that’s where a heated moment ensued.
A reporter from the British “Guardian” asked the dethroned world champion how he now looks back on the race in Barcelona given that the World Cup was decided by just two points and whether he regrets anything about it.
Verstappen immediately reacted irritably: “You have forgotten all the other things that happened in my season. You only mention Barcelona,” replied the Dutchman.
Review: Verstappen went into a hard-fought duel with Mercedes driver George Russell in Spain – and rammed the Brit in a rage. The Red Bull driver, who was already not doing well in the race, was given a ten-second penalty for the action and fell even further behind. He finished the race in tenth place.
“I knew that was coming,” Verstappen answered the reporter’s question. Then there was a brief silence in the room. Then the 28-year-old added: “And now you’re looking at me with such a stupid grin.”
However, he quickly regained his composure. “It’s part of racing,” Verstappen continued. “The world championship will be decided over 24 races.” He then mentioned the final phase of the season, in which the 104-point gap shrank to 12 points before the season finale thanks to strong racing performances and additional mistakes from McLaren. “You could have asked about the early Christmas presents I received. But you didn’t.”