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Max Verstappen’s decision to have a journalist kicked out did not go down well with the press, and even his fellow drivers.
Verstappen’s outburst at the reporter will alarm Red Bull, especially considering that he wasn’t asked an offensive question.
Verstappen has a history of lashing out at the media, especially during points in his career where he has struggled or faced scrutiny for his actions.
Was Max Verstappen right to kick out a reporter during his press conference?
Last year, the reporter asked Verstappen if his Spanish GP move on George Russell cost him the title.
Red Bull planned a meeting with Verstappen to address this incident. But there is no word yet on whether that conversation was had and how it was received.
While the reporters were understandably frustrated by Max Verstappen’s actions, it appears his fellow drivers were also taken aback by the situation.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen showed why he should not be compared to Ayrton Senna with Japanese GP journalist saga
Max Verstappen shocked other F1 drivers with journalist row
Speaking on Speed with Kevin Harvick, Will Buxton addressed Max Verstappen’s outburst towards a reporter ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
He noted that reporters, along with drivers, were shocked at his actions. It was so unexpected that Buxton even found himself questioning Max’s true intent behind the reporter’s ejection.
“There’s been a lot from Max this year where I’m not sure how much of it is genuine and how much of it is just to stay in the headlines, knowing that he’s not going to be in the headlines because of his race results.
“Kicking the journalist out of the press conference earlier this weekend was something that was universally decried in our paddock this weekend. Talking to drivers, they couldn’t believe that he’d done that.
“There’s a far bigger conversation to be had about the ecosystem that exists between media and sports stars and how that works. I know Giles, the journalist who was kicked out, is a great journalist…
“I found that odd. Part of me was thinking, is this just performative? Has he done this to create a headline in order to stay in the headlines? I don’t know, because I would like to think that’s not where Max’s head is at.
“Interesting thing. Giles was in the Red Bull press conference in Australia, and Max didn’t seem to mind. But two races later, had remembered and kicked off.”
READ MORE: Max Verstappen makes F1 retirement claim as Japanese Grand Prix woes take him beyond ‘frustrated’
What do Red Bull need to do to convince Max Verstappen to stay in F1?
Will Buxton hints Max Verstappen is seriously considering retirement
Speaking further about the potential threat of Max Verstappen retiring over frustration with these new regulations, Buxton pointed out that he has been vocal about the issues long before their implementation.
“When it comes to these regulations, Max has been warning about these regulations since they were first announced years ago.
“He was the first one to sit in a press conference years ago and say, ‘This is going to be a disaster. If they don’t change the regulations, it’s going to be awful.’
“No one listened to him. And now, they’re reaping the repercussions of what he warned against. If you don’t take him at face value, certainly when it comes to this, I think it’s legit.”
Formula 1 cannot afford to lose Verstappen, as he is one of the biggest names and stars in the sport today. His departure would be catastrophic for them.
Verstappen is set to meet with Stefano Domenicali soon to discuss these regulations, with the hope that some changes can be made to keep the four-time world champion happy and in the sport.
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