Max on tough Saudi GP: 'Like missing a lung'

Published on 30 March 2023 by Stefan Meens

In the Melbourne paddock, ahead of this week’s Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen reflected on a challenging Saud Arabian Grand Prix in which he fought his way from P15 on the grid to a second place, despite being unwell in the build-up to the event.

“It was worse than I thought it was. At home I was really ill, I could barely just walk around. I felt like was missing a lung! I got to the weekend really believing that it was gone, because normally when you get sick, two or three days afterwards you’re alright, you can just do your work. But then when I jumped in the car in FP1, even with just one performance lap I felt like I had to recover for two laps to be able to breathe normally.”

The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver added: “So it definitely did affect me throughout the weekend, which I didn’t like. It was one of the first races where I felt I was physically limited, and that’s really frustrating when you’re in the car. Since then I’ve been trying to work on it, trying to improve it, and I do think it has improved a lot. So this weekend should be alright.”

“Jeddah is a tough track, so it all came together there”, said the championship leader. “If you don’t feel well, it’s a rough circuit. But these things happen. You can always get unwell, but hopefully I’ll be fine the rest of the season.”

After the Australian Grand Prix, there will be a four week gap until the next race in Baku, due to the cancelled Chinese Grand Prix. “For me these three weeks is just about getting back to, like, full fitness, getting a full programme in. So, in a way, it's probably nice now. Normally, if you just feel well, I think I would also prefer to keep racing. It has nothing to do with looking into the car, trying to make it faster. I think that's a natural process. But it's a bit weird to have three weeks off, especially that early in the season.”

Contest Australian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed World Champion 2022 cap!