The sick Verstappen was not yet the old one during the previous race and still is not.
Formula 1 is always a combination of circumstances. Everything listens extremely closely. All links must be perfect if you want to win and not lose. Last weekend we saw Sergio Pérez win the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP, in opposition to the dead favorite Max Verstappen.
Why? Well, according to the two-time world champion, that is due to his health. He wasn’t fit two weeks ago and unfortunately he still isn’t. Our Max is suffering from a virus. He made this known during the press conference prior to the Australian GP, which will take place this weekend.
Sick Verstappen had to drive ‘with one lung’
The sick Verstappen had the following recorded against the press:
I wasn’t really looking forward to it (the 3 week break), but then I got really sick. Since then I’ve been struggling a bit. Especially after the last race. I think these three weeks are all about getting fit again. I had the case of missing a lung. I thought it was temporary that weekend.
Usually you are sick for a day or two or three. After that you will be better and you can train again. When I got into the car for the first free practice session, after one fast lap I really had to take it easy for two laps to recover and breathe normally.
A sick Max Verstappen drives a world race with one lung.
The situation is a bit reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton at Hungary 2021, who only suffered from lung Covid during that race and then also managed to set up a great catch-up race.
Confluence of circumstances
It is probably one of the reasons that Sergio Pérez was able to take the race relatively easily. Although he was initially outwitted by Fernando Alonso at the start and the bumbling of Scuderia Ferrari certainly played into the hands, he was able to drive to victory fairly easily.
Verstappen therefore had to contend with some physical discomfort. That may explain why he didn’t close the gap to Pérez at the end of the race. Also a vibration at the rear axle did not help.
Finally, we have to be honest that Checo is always rock solid on street circuits and this season he gets along better with the Red Bull than last year. As we started: it is a combination of circumstances.
Via: Formula1.com.
This article Sick Verstappen not quite the old one first appeared on Ruetir.
