Red Bull might need to take notice of Max Verstappen’s anger after a difficult start to 2026, especially following his decision to remove a reporter from his Japanese Grand Prix press conference.
The situation unfolded on Thursday at Suzuka when Verstappen refused to begin his media session until a particular journalist had left the room. The Dutchman told them to “get out,” holding onto frustration from questions that were asked after the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen hasn’t let go of the incident, which was linked back to a question about whether his penalty for an intentional collision with George Russell during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix contributed to losing that year’s title race to Lando Norris.
The Dutchman received a 10-second penalty in Spain for turning into Russell at Turn 5 on Lap 64 of 66. He was already frustrated with Red Bull at that point, having been asked by the team just three laps earlier to give P4 back to Russell—a call Verstappen didn’t agree with.
What did Max Verstappen say as he kicked a journalist out at the Japanese Grand Prix?
The penalty that Verstappen received in the 2025 Spanish GP demoted him from fifth place at the finish to P10 in the final classification, costing him nine points. Norris ultimately won the title last year by just two points over Verstappen to take the Briton’s first championship.
It was obvious that Verstappen would be asked whether he felt crashing into Russell in the 2025 Spanish GP cost him the title to Norris. Yet 109 days on from the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP, Verstappen still has a grudge against the reporter who asked him a very obvious question.
“I’m not speaking before he leaves,” Verstappen stated at the start of his pre-event presser at the Japanese GP after spotting the journalist, via quotes by RacingNews365. “Seriously?” the reporter replied, to which Verstappen stated: “Yep.”
“Because of the question last year?” said the journalist. “Yeah,” replied Verstappen. “You want me to leave?” asked them. “Yeah,” Verstappen again bluntly replied.
“It’s just because I asked you about it last year in Abu Dhabi?” questioned them once more. To which Verstappen replied: “Yeah.”
Red Bull has reason to be worried by Verstappen’s reaction at Suzuka
While Verstappen’s outburst towards the reporter at the 2026 Japanese GP was sparked by questions about his 2025 Spanish GP incident, it’s a moment that should worry Red Bull beyond just the media fallout.
The situation mirrors his recent complaints about the 2026 F1 regulations. Verstappen wouldn’t still be dwelling on that question if Red Bull weren’t struggling to start the season. It reflects deeper issues within the team’s current performance.
Verstappen is frustrated because Red Bull hasn’t provided a car capable of fighting for even mid-level points, let alone podiums against Mercedes and Ferrari. If their pace was better, he likely wouldn’t be reacting this way.
After moving from P20 to P6 in Australia following a Q1 crash, Verstappen couldn’t get past Norris once he caught him. He also failed to overtake Oliver Bearman in China, highlighting ongoing struggles with race pace.
In China, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly even out-qualified both Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar for both the sprint and main races. Rather than directing frustration at Red Bull directly, Verstappen seems to be lashing out elsewhere.
But even if Verstappen isn’t openly criticising Red Bull yet, they should be concerned. His contract runs until 2028 but includes a release clause if he’s outside the top two in the standings this summer – a scenario that looks increasingly possible if results don’t improve soon.
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