FIA Warns Red Bull Over Verstappen's Tiff With F1 Journalist At Suzuka - Report

Last Updated:April 14, 2026, 16:20 IST

Max Verstappen sparked controversy again after clashing with a journalist at the Japanese GP las t month.

Oh well, guess who’s back in the headlines again?

Max Verstappen just can’t stay out of the spotlight — and this time, it’s not for pole positions or race wins.

Instead, the four-time world champion finds himself in hot water following a tense exchange with a journalist ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

According to GPblog, Formula 1 journalists are far from pleased with how the situation was handled by Red Bull Racing and have taken it up with the FIA, who have addressed the same with the team.

The controversy stems from a media session where Verstappen reportedly asked a journalist from The Guardian to leave.

The reason? Lingering frustration.

What Triggered It?

The roots of the issue trace back to the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen had just secured a race win but narrowly lost the drivers’ title to McLaren’s Lando Norris by two points.

Post-race, a journalist revisited an earlier flashpoint — his incident with George Russell at the 2-25 Spanish Grand Prix. And Verstappen clearly hadn’t forgotten.

“I have a lot of respect for everyone… I get asked a lot of questions, a lot of stupid questions as well, but I answer them," he said later.

But this one crossed a line in Max’s mind.

“Like 20 times. It’s not about the question… But after the final race, when you ask that question and you start laughing in my face… it’s clearly done with bad intent. At that point, it shows a massive lack of respect."

Media vs Max: A Growing Rift?

The journalist in question has since raised the issue with Red Bull’s communications team. But, no direct meeting between Verstappen and the reporter has taken place yet — nor does Max reportedly seem interested in having one.

But the bigger story here? The growing tension between Verstappen and sections of the F1 media.

The four-time world champion has been hogging headlines since he waged a full-blown war of words against the new era of F1 regulations — one which he has consistently ridiculed as ‘Mario Kart’ racing.

But this situation also arises amid multiple internal shifts and a rough season at Red Bull, coupled with whispers that Verstappen is eyeing a potential exit from F1 altogether.

News sports formula-one FIA Warns Red Bull Over Verstappen's Tiff With F1 Journalist At Suzuka - Report

Read More