{"id":1878209,"date":"2026-04-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1878209"},"modified":"2026-04-11T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:00:00","slug":"what-surprised-an-f1-race-winner-about-max-verstappen-journalist-spat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1878209","title":{"rendered":"What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>David Coulthard has his say on the incident involving Max Verstappen and a journalist in Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T14:00:00+01:00\">11 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Verstappen is weighing up his F1 future<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard was surprised the FIA did not punish Max Verstappen for kicking out a journalist from a media session at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen made headlines ahead of the weekend at Suzuka when he ejected a British journalist from his media session on Thursday and refused to start the conference until Giles Richards of<em> The Guardian<\/em> left Red Bull&#8217;s hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The four-time world champion\u2019s actions proved controversial and were criticised by many, leaving ex-Red Bull driver Coulthard surprised F1\u2019s governing body the FIA took no action on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, I see it this way, it&#8217;s probably not something that on reflection Max will feel good about because even though he&#8217;s absolutely right, you don&#8217;t have to answer the question, it is unusual to ask somebody to leave from that environment,&#8221; Coulthard said on the Up To Speed podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m actually a little bit surprised the\u00a0FIA didn&#8217;t take a stance on it. I didn&#8217;t see anything that there was any sort of reprimand because basically if he was to say the word s**t in there, he&#8217;d get fined.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>13-time grand prix winner Coulthard continued: &#8220;I can only liken it to when I was racing, and I never won the world championships that Max has, of course, but I was definitely open to some criticism from various journalists.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s very difficult not to take it personally. So I&#8217;m sure you don&#8217;t look at the comments on some of the social feeds because\u00a0there&#8217;ll be some who love you and there&#8217;ll be some that just don&#8217;t like you, and that&#8217;s the way it is.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-ddd625d00ff7b1fe506e7dbfeda0a4f146e27c78ed158752d12aae007c53c369\">  Why Max Verstappen is not racing in NLS3 this weekend   Max Verstappen\u2019s father reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase exit <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So I certainly did get some criticism, and there was always an underlying, let&#8217;s say, if they were questioning my qualifying ability, it was a fair question, but of course it wasn&#8217;t easy to be asked the same question time and time again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And some journalists would be a lot more dismissive. And it is their right as a journalist to say what they see. But it is difficult not to take it personally. And none of the drivers are exempt from that.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And right now, Kimi Antonelli is getting all of the praise. Everything. Everyone loves him. And his mum will be getting cutouts from newspapers if people still do that nowadays. But as sure as he&#8217;s being praised right now, he&#8217;ll get criticised at some point in the future, especially if he makes some mistakes.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-99daaeb524fc513697c97ac01427baa61a3be0337661feba2869116c2e0e7960\">  How Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 race engineer will fit in at McLaren   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I remember one journalist writing that &#8216;David has an amazing ability to talk about the incident as if he wasn&#8217;t driving the car at the time&#8217;. And it really shocked me because clearly he thought I was just making excuses all the time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But I didn&#8217;t see it that way. But maybe I was being overdefensive, and I spoke to that journalist, and we made peace and moved on. But it is tough to take that public criticism.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Max Verstappen<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Red Bull<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Martin Brundle claims F1 drivers are \u2018fourth in line\u2019 amid safety concerns<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404538_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Legendary F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen&#8217;s daughter makes her racing debut this weekend<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ella-hakkinen-02.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-50f4c428d9523ef8ae76a46c511d770f706928a80a3f92bed28e620edd7926b3\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-4175635285ea86ac761eceb8cb68317777e2d70d944ced7781bfb87452103926\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Lambiase isn&#8217;t the only ace McLaren could play to lure Verstappen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775748723\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202512070361.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Could Brown tempt Verstappen to join McLaren? \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McLaren confirms Gianpiero Lambiase signing as Red Bull responds to shock exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775743636\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1396596_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen will lose another key ally in Lambiase\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen&#8217;s &#8216;secret trick&#8217; GT rivals &#8220;would never have thought of&#8221; teased<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775736420\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603260165.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen has had little to smile about in F1 this year\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Verstappen\u2019s F1 future even more in doubt after Lambiase shock <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775727047\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202508310193.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase has engineered Verstappen throughout his Red Bull career\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Verstappen to lose right-hand man to McLaren bombshell report claims<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775716952\"> 09\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202512070136.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lambiase has been the voice in Verstappen's ear at Red Bull \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Outspoken race winner claims F1 \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775636023\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen has threatened to walk away from F1 \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>David Coulthard has his say on the incident involving Max Verstappen and a journalist in Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard was surprised the FIA did not punish Max Verstappen for kicking out a journalist from a media session at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen made headlines ahead of the weekend at Suzuka when he ejected a British journalist from his media session on Thursday and refused to start the conference until Giles Richards of<em> The Guardian<\/em> left Red Bull&#8217;s hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The four-time world champion\u2019s actions proved controversial and were criticised by many, leaving ex-Red Bull driver Coulthard surprised F1\u2019s governing body the FIA took no action on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, I see it this way, it&#8217;s probably not something that on reflection Max will feel good about because even though he&#8217;s absolutely right, you don&#8217;t have to answer the question, it is unusual to ask somebody to leave from that environment,&#8221; Coulthard said on the Up To Speed podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m actually a little bit surprised the\u00a0FIA didn&#8217;t take a stance on it. I didn&#8217;t see anything that there was any sort of reprimand because basically if he was to say the word s**t in there, he&#8217;d get fined.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>13-time grand prix winner Coulthard continued: &#8220;I can only liken it to when I was racing, and I never won the world championships that Max has, of course, but I was definitely open to some criticism from various journalists.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s very difficult not to take it personally. So I&#8217;m sure you don&#8217;t look at the comments on some of the social feeds because\u00a0there&#8217;ll be some who love you and there&#8217;ll be some that just don&#8217;t like you, and that&#8217;s the way it is.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-ddd625d00ff7b1fe506e7dbfeda0a4f146e27c78ed158752d12aae007c53c369\">  Why Max Verstappen is not racing in NLS3 this weekend   Max Verstappen\u2019s father reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase exit <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So I certainly did get some criticism, and there was always an underlying, let&#8217;s say, if they were questioning my qualifying ability, it was a fair question, but of course it wasn&#8217;t easy to be asked the same question time and time again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And some journalists would be a lot more dismissive. And it is their right as a journalist to say what they see. But it is difficult not to take it personally. And none of the drivers are exempt from that.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And right now, Kimi Antonelli is getting all of the praise. Everything. Everyone loves him. And his mum will be getting cutouts from newspapers if people still do that nowadays. But as sure as he&#8217;s being praised right now, he&#8217;ll get criticised at some point in the future, especially if he makes some mistakes.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-99daaeb524fc513697c97ac01427baa61a3be0337661feba2869116c2e0e7960\">  How Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 race engineer will fit in at McLaren   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I remember one journalist writing that &#8216;David has an amazing ability to talk about the incident as if he wasn&#8217;t driving the car at the time&#8217;. And it really shocked me because clearly he thought I was just making excuses all the time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But I didn&#8217;t see it that way. But maybe I was being overdefensive, and I spoke to that journalist, and we made peace and moved on. But it is tough to take that public criticism.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard was surprised the FIA did not punish Max Verstappen for kicking out a journalist from a media session at the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen made headlines ahead of the weekend at Suzuka when he ejected a British journalist from his media session on Thursday and refused to start the conference until Giles Richards of<em> The Guardian<\/em> left Red Bull&#8217;s hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The four-time world champion\u2019s actions proved controversial and were criticised by many, leaving ex-Red Bull driver Coulthard surprised F1\u2019s governing body the FIA took no action on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Well, I see it this way, it&#8217;s probably not something that on reflection Max will feel good about because even though he&#8217;s absolutely right, you don&#8217;t have to answer the question, it is unusual to ask somebody to leave from that environment,&#8221; Coulthard said on the Up To Speed podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m actually a little bit surprised the\u00a0FIA didn&#8217;t take a stance on it. I didn&#8217;t see anything that there was any sort of reprimand because basically if he was to say the word s**t in there, he&#8217;d get fined.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>13-time grand prix winner Coulthard continued: &#8220;I can only liken it to when I was racing, and I never won the world championships that Max has, of course, but I was definitely open to some criticism from various journalists.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s very difficult not to take it personally. So I&#8217;m sure you don&#8217;t look at the comments on some of the social feeds because\u00a0there&#8217;ll be some who love you and there&#8217;ll be some that just don&#8217;t like you, and that&#8217;s the way it is.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-ddd625d00ff7b1fe506e7dbfeda0a4f146e27c78ed158752d12aae007c53c369\">  Why Max Verstappen is not racing in NLS3 this weekend   Max Verstappen\u2019s father reacts to bombshell Gianpiero Lambiase exit <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;So I certainly did get some criticism, and there was always an underlying, let&#8217;s say, if they were questioning my qualifying ability, it was a fair question, but of course it wasn&#8217;t easy to be asked the same question time and time again.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And some journalists would be a lot more dismissive. And it is their right as a journalist to say what they see. But it is difficult not to take it personally. And none of the drivers are exempt from that.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And right now, Kimi Antonelli is getting all of the praise. Everything. Everyone loves him. And his mum will be getting cutouts from newspapers if people still do that nowadays. But as sure as he&#8217;s being praised right now, he&#8217;ll get criticised at some point in the future, especially if he makes some mistakes.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-99daaeb524fc513697c97ac01427baa61a3be0337661feba2869116c2e0e7960\">  How Max Verstappen\u2019s F1 race engineer will fit in at McLaren   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;I remember one journalist writing that &#8216;David has an amazing ability to talk about the incident as if he wasn&#8217;t driving the car at the time&#8217;. And it really shocked me because clearly he thought I was just making excuses all the time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;But I didn&#8217;t see it that way. But maybe I was being overdefensive, and I spoke to that journalist, and we made peace and moved on. But it is tough to take that public criticism.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092957\/1\/what-surprised-f1-race-winner-about-max-verstappen-journalist-spat&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1399194_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] What \u2018surprised\u2019 an F1 race winner about Max Verstappen journalist spat David Coulthard has his say on the incident involving Max Verstappen and a journalist in Japan. Lewis Larkam 11 Apr 2026 Share Verstappen is weighing up his F1 future Add as a preferred source Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1878209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1878209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1878209"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1878209\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1878209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1878209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1878209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}