Two Formula 1 stars under the weather: Max Verstappen reveals how he keeps fit

The Formula 1 drivers are currently in an intense phase of the season, which is taking its toll. After the GP field had completed three consecutive race weekends with the races in Baku, Sepang and Singapore, there was just one race-free weekend before the next so-called ‘triple-header’, which takes the GP circus from Austin via Mexico to São Paulo.

Right at the start of the race weekend in Mexico, two Grand Prix stars called in sick: championship leader Kimi Antonelli cancelled his appearance at Media Thursday due to a viral infection. Cadillac veteran Valtteri Bottas also had to cancel his media engagements because he was feeling unwell. The topic of health was therefore discussed at length in the paddock at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen was also asked about it. The four-time world champion, who had used the last race-free weekend for a guest appearance in a GT3 car, said: “Of course, it’s always quite a strain on the body to complete three race weekends in a row. And yes, sometimes you just have a bit of bad luck, for example with a stomach bug.”

“It’s normal that it affects not only the drivers, but also the mechanics and other people in the team at this time of year, and that they then fall ill. After all, the body can naturally cope with a great deal of stress. But at some point, of course, it signals to you that it needs a little break to recover. And you have to pay attention to that,” says the 29-year-old.

Some years are a bit better than others, Verstappen added. “I also believe you learn more with every season, but sometimes there are things you simply can’t prevent. It’s definitely very tough. And for me, the hardest thing is that, with back-to-back race weekends, I can’t travel home to my family in between. I really don’t like that,” he went on to explain.

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Max Verstappen: No fitness training after the Austin Grand Prix

However, Verstappen made it clear that he doesn’t take any specific measures to keep an eye on his own health and performance – such as using a fitness tracker: “I don’t like being monitored, which is why I don’t wear anything. It’s more about knowing what your own body needs. Sleep, for example, is important.”

“And I also like simply doing nothing at all between race weekends. You could go to the gym and train a lot. But I feel fit enough to compete in my races. And that’s why, for example, I really didn’t do much on Monday and Tuesday after the Austin GP. I just had a bit of time to myself, had a few phone calls with people back home and sorted out a few things that had nothing to do with Formula 1. Just that sort of thing, nothing too crazy,” revealed the GP star.