India, March 26 -- The  F12026 Japanese Grand Prix got off to a wild start with a media standoff. Red Bull star Max Verstappen flat-out refused to begin his pre-race briefing until one journalist left the room. As soon as Verstappen walked into the Suzuka hospitality suite and saw Giles Richards from The Guardian, he stopped in his tracks. 

He didn't beat around the bush. "I'm not speaking before he's leaving," Verstappen said, his tone ice-cold. For a moment, nobody moved. The room went quiet. Richards tried to ask why Verstappen was suddenly so hostile, but the Dutch driver cut him off, making it crystal clear: "Get out."

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