‘Not a Lot of Energy’: Max Verstappen Reveals Illness Struggle at Home GP

Max Verstappen is battling flu-like symptoms at his home Dutch Grand Prix, adding another challenge to a difficult weekend for the four-time Formula 1 world champion.

Verstappen confirmed after qualifying that he has been feeling unwell at Zandvoort, with a lack of energy compounding Red Bull's struggles against its rivals. The Dutchman qualified seventh for Sunday's race, while team-mate Liam Lawson will start eighth.

Verstappen has admitted that he has not felt well throughout the weekend.

"I've felt better, yes," he told select media, including RacingNews365. "Yeah, just not a lot of energy."

The illness has done little to ease what has already been a frustrating home event for the Red Bull driver.

Max Verstappen struggling for pace at Zandvoort

Verstappen entered his home race with a strong record at Zandvoort, having won three of the four Dutch Grands Prix held since the circuit returned to the F1 calendar in 2021.

A fourth victory, however, looks difficult after Red Bull failed to match the pace of McLaren and Mercedes during qualifying.

Verstappen finished seventh with a 1:11.618, more than four-tenths of a second behind pole-sitter Lando Norris.

George Russell qualified second, with Kimi Antonelli third and Oscar Piastri fourth. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed the Ferrari pairing in fifth and sixth respectively, leaving Verstappen to start from the fourth row.

Lawson will line up alongside him in eighth.

The result leaves Verstappen facing an uphill battle if he is to extend his winning record at his home circuit.

Max Verstappen insists illness is not affecting driving

Despite admitting that he has been short of energy, Verstappen played down the impact of his illness on his performance inside the car.

"I don't think so. I think once you're in the car, it'll be fine," he said.

The Red Bull driver indicated that the symptoms have been present throughout the weekend rather than emerging immediately before qualifying.

"It hasn't been great all weekend. It's just not pleasant. Just sick, like everyone else when you're sick."

That suggests Verstappen does not expect the illness itself to prevent him from competing at full intensity on Sunday.

However, the physical demands of a Formula 1 race mean his condition remains an additional factor to monitor, particularly if the Dutch Grand Prix develops into a strategic or closely contested race.

A difficult final Dutch GP for Max Verstappen?

This year's Dutch Grand Prix is expected to be the final edition at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future, with the circuit's contract not extending beyond the 2026 season.

That makes Verstappen's current situation particularly significant.

The Dutchman has dominated the event since its return to the calendar, winning three consecutive races between 2021 and 2023. He was beaten at his home circuit in 2024 and will now start the 2026 race from seventh.

With Red Bull lacking the outright pace of McLaren and Mercedes and Verstappen dealing with illness, securing a fourth home victory could prove considerably more difficult than in previous years.

For now, Verstappen's focus will be on recovering as much as possible before lights out and turning a compromised qualifying position into a stronger race result.