Was Verstappen ‘summoned’ by Red Bull? This is what really happened

The German outlet writes that Red Bull was not happy with Verstappen’s action, who, after an incident last year in Abu Dhabi, did not want to hold his media session in Japan with a British journalist in the room. Verstappen demanded that the reporter from The Guardian leave, after which he indeed walked out.

Red Bull was reportedly less pleased with the conduct of their star driver. According to Bild, team boss Laurent Mekies is said to have called his driver in to listen to the former world champion’s reasoning.

It was then allegedly made clear 'that Red Bull is not a team that throws journalists out of hospitality'.

GPblog inquired about the reported conversation between Mekies and Verstappen, and was assured that this did not take place.

It remains unclear whether the journalist, who has since responded to the incident himself, was boycotted by Verstappen just once, or whether he is no longer welcome at the Dutchman’s media sessions going forward. GPblog has already explained why Verstappen took his action in the paddock at the Suzuka circuit.