Max Verstappen struggles with illness as Red Bull faces challenges at Zandvoort
Autosport • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 5:34 PM
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
Max Verstappen is experiencing flu-like symptoms ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 22, 2026. He qualified seventh, reflecting Red Bull's struggles with performance, and highlighted ongoing issues with the car's balance throughout the season. Verstappen stated he is looking forward to rest after the race, as he feels his illness does not impact his driving while expressing concern over the car's performance limitations. He indicated that the Zandvoort circuit magnifies these weaknesses, making a satisfying performance challenging.
- •Verstappen qualified seventh for the Dutch Grand Prix.
- •He is feeling flu-like and lacks energy.
- •Red Bull struggles with the car's balance at Zandvoort.
- •The track exposes fundamental issues with Red Bull's RB22.
- •Verstappen views a seventh-place finish as the best possible outcome.
- 5:34 PMAutosport — Verstappen suffering from "flu-like" illness as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
- 5:32 PMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen feeling "flu-like" as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
- 5:32 PMMotorsport.com — Max Verstappen feeling "flu-like" as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
"With three victories since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021, Max Verstappen can already look back on a very successful period. The final edition in 2026 has proven an ordeal so far, both in terms of Red Bull’s pace and Verstappen’s physical condition. "I've felt better before, yes," Verstappen admitted during the Dutch media session in the paddock after qualifying. "I ...Keep reading
"With three victories since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021, Max Verstappen can already look back on a very successful period. The final edition in 2026 has proven an ordeal so far, both in terms of Red Bull’s pace and Verstappen’s physical condition. "I've felt better before, yes," Verstappen admitted during the Dutch media session in the paddock after qualifying. "I ...Keep reading
"The Red Bull driver says he is not feeling completely fit and is mainly looking forward to getting some sleep - while Zandvoort also exposes some fundamental limitations of the RB22, according to the Dutch driver
Sources
External links- AutosportAug 22, 2026, 5:34 PMVerstappen suffering from "flu-like" illness as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
With three victories since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021, Max Verstappen can already look back on a very successful period. The final edition in 2026 has proven an ordeal so far, both in terms of Red Bull’s pace and Verstappen’s physical condition. "I've felt better before, yes," Verstappen admitted during the Dutch media session in the paddock after qualifying. "I ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 5:32 PMMax Verstappen feeling "flu-like" as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
The Red Bull driver says he is not feeling completely fit and is mainly looking forward to getting some sleep - while Zandvoort also exposes some fundamental limitations of the RB22, according to the Dutch driver
- Motorsport.comAug 22, 2026, 5:32 PMMax Verstappen feeling "flu-like" as Zandvoort exposes Red Bull's fundamental problems
With three victories since the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021, Max Verstappen can already look back on a very successful period. The final edition in 2026 has proven an ordeal so far, both in terms of Red Bull’s pace and Verstappen’s physical condition. "I've felt better before, yes," Verstappen admitted during the Dutch media session in the paddock after qualifying. "I ...Keep reading
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