The Verstappen-journalist case
During the press conference for the presentation of the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen – Red Bull star – refused to answer questions from journalists until Giles Richards, reporter for the Guardian, had left. The Dutchman and the Englishman had been involved in a clash at Abu Dhabi 2025, when Richards asked him whether or not he regretted the incident with Russell in Barcelona.
Remembering that episode, Verstappen imposed the removal of the journalist from the Suzuka press conference and subsequently continued with his 10-minute press conference as if nothing had happened.
Read more Red Bull: updates for Verstappen, but problems remain
Red Bull was not pleased
What happened obviously made the rounds of the world and the web and was certainly not positive publicity for Red Bull.
The Bild reported the discontent of the Austrian company with the attitude held by its driver, resulting in a real official reprimand from team principal Laurent Mekies to the four-time Formula 1 world champion.
“The incident created internal discontent at Red Bull, which prompted the team’s managers, led by Laurent Mekies, to call Max Verstappen to account“, reads from the columns of the German newspaper’s website, which continued: “The Frenchman sought a confrontation with Verstappen Friday morning in the Suzuka paddock. During the meeting he listened to the Dutchman’s point of view, but made it clear to him that Red Bull is not a team that kicks journalists out of its hospitality.”
Bild then highlighted the fundamental role of Mekies as a mediator, who on one hand obviously must not antagonize Verstappen, but on the other hand had to send a signal to his champion because he violated company values.
The matter left no aftermath and was considered closed by both parties.
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