Max Verstappen refused to begin his media duties ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix until a British reporter left the room.
The tense exchange occurred moments after the four-time world champion sat down for his print duties.
Upon spotting the reporter, Verstappen said: "I’m not speaking before he leaves."
Last year, following the December season finale in Abu Dhabi, where the Dutchman missed out on the World title by just two points, the journalist asked Verstappen if he regretted deliberately driving into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
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Verstappen replied: "You forget about all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing that you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. And you are giving me a stupid grin now.”
Verstappen was sanctioned by the stewards for the incident in Barcelona and subsequently demoted from fifth to 10th, costing him nine championship points.
Appearing to still be aggrieved over that question, Verstappen demanded the reporter "get out" before speaking in Suzuka, sparking a frosty exchange..
The journalist said: "Seriously?", with Verstappen replying: "Yep."
Max Verstappen refused to begin his media duties ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix unless a British reporter left the room
|GETTY
The reporter said: "Because of the question last year? You want me to leave?”
The 28-year-old answered: "Yeah", with the journalist walking towards the Dutch driver’s table to collect his dictaphone.
He said: "It’s just the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi? About Spain?
Verstappen replied: "Get out… get out!"
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The tense exchange occurred moments after the four-time world champion sat down for his print duties
|GETTY
The journalist added: "You’re really that upset about it?"
Verstappen replied: “Get out.”
The reporter left the hospitality suite following the 30-second argument.
"Now, we can start," said Verstappen with a smile before going on to conduct his 10-minute duties as usual.
Verstappen heads into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix already 43 points off the championship pace
|GETTY
Verstappen heads into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix already 43 points off the championship pace following a difficult start to the new season in his under-performing Red Bull.
The Dutchman has been highly critical of his RB22 car following poor qualifying sessions.
Speaking last race weekend, he said: "The whole weekend we have been off. The car is completely undriveable. Every lap is like survival.
"We changed a lot on the car and it made zero difference. It's incredibly tough to drive. There's no balance, I cannot lean on the car, every lap is a fight."
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