An F1 legend has expressed his surprise Max Verstappen went unpunished for kicking a journalist out of a press conference at the last race meeting in Japan.
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, the four-time world champion ordered The Guardian journalist Giles Richards to "get out" the press conference, held for written media in the Red Bull hospitality suite.
"I'm not speaking before he's leaving," Verstappen said of Richards, who approached the Dutchman to plead his case. Verstappen told him to "get out" and Richards left.
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Verstappen had been upset by a line of questioning from Richards following last year's season-ender in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen fell two points short of what would have been the biggest title fightback in the sport's history.
David Coulthard, who drove for the Red Bull team between from its inception in 2005 until his retirement in 2008, suggested the FIA should have intervened.
"It's probably not something that on reflection Max will feel good about because even though he's absolutely right, you don't have to answer the question, it is unusual to ask somebody to leave from that environment," he said on the Up To Speed podcast.
"I'm actually a little bit surprised the FIA didn't take a stance on it. I didn't see anything that there was any sort of reprimand because basically if he was to say the word shit in there, he'd get fined."
Coulthard copped several whacks of his own from the media in his 15-year F1 career. He said it can be difficult not to take criticism personally.
At last year's Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen was penalised for a collision with George Russell that dropped him from fifth to 10th in the final classification – a difference of nine world championship points. It would turn out to prove costly in the title fight.
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Following the Abu Dhabi season-ender, Richards asked if Verstappen regretted the incident.
"You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come," Verstappen answered.
"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.”
Richards wrote in a column for The Guardian that he was "deeply disappointed" by what happened and questioned whether Verstappen was "enjoying the power dynamic?"
"I still admire Verstappen and I hope we can enjoy a better relationship in the future. Sometimes, difficult, awkward questions have to be asked," he added.
"That's the job that comes with the privilege."
The F1 season is in a forced break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grand prixs. The season will resume in Miami on May 4 (AEST).
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