Giles Richards’ article regarding the incident.

Can’t really say this makes me particularly sympathetic towards Max. The question was pointed for sure, but still completely within the limits of reasonable journalism. Max has no obligation to answer, but he shouldn’t have this power to control the narrative either. He’s there to answer questions from accredited reporters, not talk to select few people who can spin him softball questions. Excluding journalists whose reporting you don’t like, throwing tantrums, carrying a petty grudge for months and acting on it unprovoked much later… All very Trumpian honestly. Don’t really like any of it.

Also if you don’t want to face questions about deliberately driving into people, maybe you don’t deliberately drive into people?

I can imagine the frustration of being asked about painful regret from someone hiding behind a shit-eating grin. But it sounds like he’s dealing with his over-the-hill F1 relevance by projecting daddy issues onto a journalist - someone at a lower power differential. Not a good look, Max. Go to therapy instead.

This is a good example of how authoritarian parenting/training (by Jos) is ultimately more limiting than helpful. You start facing defeat at some point and it enrages and confuses you.

Verstappen’s problem with Richards arises from a question the Briton asked after the race in Abu Dhabi last year. The Dutchman won but was unable to prevent himself losing out on the drivers’ title to McLaren’s Lando Norris by two points. Richards asked after the race whether Verstappen now “regretted” his incident with Mercedes’ George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix in June earlier that year. Verstappen appeared to deliberately drive into Russell’s car and was given a penalty that dropped him from fifth on the road to 10th. That cost him nine points. Verstappen responded: "You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now. “I don’t know. Yeah, it’s part of racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.” A source close to Verstappen, who did not want to be named, said he had reacted that way in Japan not because of the specific question that was asked last year, but the way it was asked and the reaction while Verstappen was answering it. Verstappen had earlier in the weekend answered a question on the same topic, phrased in a different way, in a BBC Sport interview. Asked why that incident happened, he said: "Probably because I’m too… driven. Because I never settle for ‘not good enough’, and we, of course, look for a comfortable podium. "Then, of course, I got put on a strategy which was completely different to others. Then I get driven into the straight, I get driven into Turn One, and I get told that I have to give the position back, which I find ridiculous. And I never settle for that. "I could have easily said, ‘I’m on the hard tyres, my race is gone’, and you just let everyone by, and it has to go with you. But that’s not how I am. "But at the same time, of course, the reaction that came out of it is not good. But at the same time, it’s because I always, when I’m in the car, I give it 100%. I cannot sit there and be 95% and that just explains it. “But of course, when you look back at it, it was not ideal. But it’s also moments that you learn from.”

I agree with Max on this. Fuck Richards.

What a bitch

Sadly this type of behaviour and privilege comes from his dad. Both obnoxious people.

I understand being frustrated by a question from the media… But, welcome? This is literally their job?

I can think of PLENTY of people who wanted to know the answer to that question. Should he have asked it differently? Maybe, but if Max gets to “be who he is” why can’t this journalist have the same attitude, and ask a question how he wants?

It just reeks of entitlement. Max gets to dictate what questions are asked and who asks them, not the other way around! Which is garbage and that’s not the way it’s supposed to work. Also… Grow up bro. It feels so petty to hold this one little incident over this guy’s head for so long. Like what purpose does it serve other than to show you hold grudges really well?

I respect Max for his driving capabilities and his approach to racing. I cannot respect him as a person when he operates like this. He just looks like mini-Jos and fuckin A that’s incredibly unattractive.

Why even bother with press conferences to begin with? It’s always the same questions with the same answers anyway so just prerecord something at the start and use that.

Quite petty from VER but on the other hand 🍿

Every Brit (especially sports commentators) still has the “Abu Dhabi Syndrome of December 12, 2021”. When they say “I respect Max for his driving” they are actually saying “I hate him from the bottom of my heart”.