Verstappen banishes British journalist: This is the exact reason why

Apparently, it stemmed from a moment in Abu Dhabi last season, when the same Guardian journalist asked Verstappen a very critical question after missing out on the world title. The reporter wanted to know whether the collision with George Russell during that season’s Spanish GP in Barcelona had culminated in him losing the title to McLaren’s Lando Norris, as he came up two points short.

Especially in the British-based Press, many believe that the Red Bull Racing driver was so angry because of what was asked back then, feeling that it was the question itself that had upset Verstappen. GPblog, however, understands from someone close to the Red Bull driver that there is a different reason for his frustration.

What particularly irritated Verstappen at the time was how the journalist posed the question, with Verstappen believing he delivered his question with a smirk. Verstappen believed he was being laughed at and actually had no issue with the content of the question.

Undoubtedly, the moment in Red Bull’s hospitality will be discussed in Suzuka in the coming days. It is unclear whether the Dutchman will eventually speak to the journalist again, although no one should be surprised if that ‘relationship’ is definitively broken.

The Guardian journalist, Giles Richards has also provided his account of events and assured Vertsappen he was not smirking when he asked his initial question.