F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Max Verstappen provides health update as he battles illness at Zandvoort

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen battles illness at Dutch Grand Prix, Red Bull star provides health update

Verstappen is under the weather

Graham Shaw Consultant Editor

Digital sports specialist running global brands for 30 years

Saturday 22 August 2026 20:59

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F1 superstar Max Verstappen has revealed that he has been battling illness all weekend as he struggles to put Red Bull in contention at his home Dutch Grand Prix.

This was supposed to be a celebration for the 28-year-old Dutchman, his final home race days after he committed his future to Red Bull with a huge contract extension through to 2030.

But Verstappen could qualify only seventh for Sunday's race, after finishing sixth in the Sprint race earlier in the day.

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As the dust settled, Verstappen admitted during an interview with Viaplay that he has not been feeling right all weekend.

QUALIFYING RESULTS: Dutch Grand Prix times and grid positions from Zandvoort

Verstappen didn't look well

After qualifying, the four-time world champion sat down for the usual post-session interviews.

Initially, he reflected on his performance, beginning: “It was a bit like yesterday, especially in terms of balance."

When asked about the rain during the final phase of qualifying, he added, “We were sliding too much, and the tires were probably just a bit too cold. There wasn’t much more to it,” before Viaplay presenter Chiel van Koldenhoven pointed out that he simply didn’t look well.