Why Verstappen exploded at the press conference in Canada

Max Verstappen's look said it all: Tom Clarkson was not going to get a normal answer from him. Formula 1's regular interviewer, who asks the first questions during the press conference, should have known that he had to scrap the last question on his list. The brave/naïve Clarkson tried it anyway, leading to an explosive reaction from Verstappen.

The glass was probably already full before for Verstappen. The whole weekend had been about that race ban hanging over his head. It already led to an exchange of words with Ted Kravitz, and after qualifying, the same old story was repeated.

Verstappen spoke after qualifying and still looked quite cheerful. Between that moment and the explosion at the press conference, there were less than ten minutes. How could it turn sour so quickly?

It started with George Russell, who ‘joked’ about Verstappen's penalty points after his pole position, saying he could still afford some penalty points, should there be a duel. Tastes differ regarding the joke, but Verstappen must have seen the storm coming.

Then, at the press conference, Russell was the first to go. The last question from Tom Clarkson was predictable: ‘What do you expect from a start next to Max Verstappen after the incident in Barcelona?’ With Verstappen beside him, Russell restrained himself this time, but for Verstappen, the damage was already done.

When the camera turned to Verstappen for his questions, the anger on his face was palpable. Verstappen responded to the first two questions from Clarkson with one word and one sentence. Clarkson tried the big question anyway, resulting in an outburst from Verstappen.

A little later, another journalist tried to get a response from Verstappen. He too was rebuffed. Verstappen gave two thumbs up and refused to answer whether he would race differently with a race ban looming.

And that last point is perhaps the biggest source of frustration for Verstappen. Since his entry into Formula 1, he has had to answer questions about whether he needs to adjust his driving style. The famous quote ‘I'll headbutt someone if I get one more question like that’ is etched in many's memory. Even then, it was about adjusting a driving style.

And that's the ‘childish’ question Verstappen is referring to. He's not going to change his driving style. Not because he's crashed a few times, not because people think he should, and not even if there's a suspension hanging over his head. Max no longer threatens with a headbutt, but it still irritates him.