Double Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, who suffered from a stomach ache two weeks ago during the Saudi Arabian GP, said on Thursday that he was not yet fully recovered before the Australian GP.
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Formula 1: the calendar of the season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
The 25-year-old Dutchman told a press conference on Thursday that he felt so bad before leaving for Jeddah that he could "
barely walk
".
“
I felt that I was physically limited
”
“
At home, I was really, really sick and I could barely walk.
When I arrived (in Jeddah), I thought it was behind me... but as soon as I got in the car for the first free practice session, after just one lap I felt that I had need two laps just to be able to breathe normally
,” Verstappen detailed.
“
So yes, it bothered me all weekend.
This is one of the first races where I felt I was physically limited and it was very frustrating
,” he added.
Although he feels better, the Red Bull driver now sees the four-week break that will take place after the Australian GP with a positive eye: “
Two weeks ago, I was not looking forward to it (the cut, editor's note) but then I was very sick and these weeks should allow me to recover and regain 100% of my abilities.
»
Verstappen is the favorite for the third Grand Prix of the season which will be contested on Sunday in Melbourne at the Albert Park circuit.
The double world champion indeed flew over the first race in Bahrain and made a superb comeback from fifteenth to second place two weeks ago in Jeddah, where his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez won.
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