BREAKING: Sick Max Verstappen to miss Saudi Arabian Grand Prix media duties

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will miss his Saudi Arabian Grand Prix media duties on Thursday due to a stomach illness.

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The Formula One world champion tweeted that he’s “feeling fine again” and expects to be on the track on Friday

The double world champion, who dominated the season-opening race in Bahrain a fortnight ago, said he has been battling with the bug this week.

However, he expects to be in his Red Bull for practice in Jeddah on Friday.

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“Feeling fine again, after not being fit for a few days because of a stomach bug,” wrote the Dutchman, 25, on Twitter.

“Therefore, I unfortunately had to postpone my flight for a day, so I won’t be on the track until Friday.”

Feeling fine again, after not being fit for a few days because of a stomach bug. Therefore, I unfortunately had to postpone my flight for a day, so I won't be on the track until Friday. See you in Jeddah!

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) March 16, 2023

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Verstappen’s Red Bull team tweeted: “Max has been suffering from a stomach illness over the past few days and, with the agreement of the FIA, will not be present at track today. Feel better, Max.”

Max has been suffering from a stomach illness over the past few days and, with the agreement of the FIA, will not be present at track today. Feel better, Max. 🙏🦁 https://t.co/f7CMBgchZY

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 16, 2023

Verstappen heads into the second round of the season leading the championship following his comprehensive victory in Bahrain.

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BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2023 RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1hr 33min 56.736sec, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) at 11.987, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 38.637, 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 48.052, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 50.977, 6. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 54.502, 7. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 55.873, 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:12.647, 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:13.753, 10. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:29.774, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:30.870, 12. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1 lap, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 14. Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1 lap, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1 lap, 17. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 2 laps

Best lap: Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:35.068 on 43rd lap (average: 204.940 km/h)

Did not finish: Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 16th lap, Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 41st lap, Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 46th lap

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (AFTER ONE OF 23 RACES)

Drivers

1. Max Verstappen (NED) 25 pts, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 18, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 15, 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 12, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 10, 6. Lance Stroll (CAN) 8, 7. George Russell (GBR) 6, 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 4, 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 2, 10. Alexander Albon (THA) 1, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 0, 12. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 0, 14. Nyck de Vries (NED) 0, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 0, 16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 0, 17. Lando Norris (GBR) 0, 18. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 0, 19. Charles Leclerc (MON) 0, 20. Oscar Piastri (AUS)

Constructors

1. Red Bull 43 pts, 2. Aston Martin-Mercedes 23, 3. Mercedes 16, 4. Ferrari 12, 5. Alfa Romeo 4, 6. Alpine-Renault 2, 7. Williams-Mercedes 1, 8. AlphaTauri-Red Bull 0, 9. Haas-Ferrari 0, 10. McLaren-Mercedes 0