Max Verstappen sensationally kicked a journalist out of his press conference at the Japanese Grand Prix, refusing to answer any questions until the reporter had left. The four-time world champion has endured a frustrating start to the new season by his own high standards. He finished sixth at the season opener in Australia before a mechanical fault forced him to retire from the Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen is already 43 points adrift of the lead in the Drivers’ Championship standings and will be hoping to narrow that gap at Suzuka this weekend. Things got off to a rocky start on Thursday, though, when the Dutchman clashed with a reporter in his press conference. His unhappiness stemmed from a question asked in Abu Dhabi last year, where Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth title.

Following the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen was asked if he regretted the incident and snapped back: “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 in 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.”

The same reporter was among those present for Verstappen’s press conference on Thursday, but the Red Bull driver refused to answer any questions until the journalist had left the room.

“I’m not speaking before he leaves,” he said, to which the journalist replied: “Seriously?” Verstappen doubled down: “Yeah.”

The reporter asked: “Because of the question last year? You want me to leave? It’s just the question I asked you in Abu Dhabi? About Spain?”

Verstappen fired back: “Get out.” The journalist said: “You’re really that upset about it?” to which the reply was: “Yeah, get out.” Once the reporter had left, Verstappen was more relaxed and told the assembled press: “Now we can start.”

Media briefings are part of each driver’s expected workload at Grand Prix weekends, but only the FIA press conferences are mandatory.

Therefore, it will be up to Red Bull whether to intervene to restore peace between Verstappen and the journalist in question.