“Max Verstappen was ill during the US Grand Prix”: Formula 1 journalist says that the Red Bull driver was suffering from gastritis during the race in Austin on Sunday

"Max Verstappen was ill during the US Grand Prix": Formula 1 journalist says that the Red Bull driver was suffering from Gastritis during the race in Austin on Sunday

Max Verstappen was reportedly suffering from gastritis during the United States Grand Prix race at COTA on Sunday. 

Brazilian Formula 1 journalist Mariana Becker was live on Instagram following Sunday’s race. In the stream, she said that the Red Bull driver was suffering from gastritis on the build-up and during the race that afternoon. She also confirmed that both him and his teammate Sergio Perez were feeling pretty unwell after the weekend.

Max put in a stellar performance in the US GP, earning his 8th win of the 2021 season. He started the race on pole position but lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton in the first lap. Verstappen, then took a gamble by pitting early and opting for an aggressive tire strategy that paid off for him in the end.

Hamilton was on fresher tires towards the end of the race but a mixture of graining issues and dirty air kept him behind Max’s gearbox for the remainder of the race. The win saw Verstappen open up a 12 point lead at the summit of the Championship.

Sergio Perez was not in the best shape post race, says Becker

Sergio Perez’s drink system stopped working after the 10th lap in Austin on Sunday. This means that the Mexican driver drove in extremely hot conditions for the remainder of the race without having water. Consequently, he was feeling very “dehydrated” after the race, said Mariana Becker on Instagram.

The conditions in Texas this weekend were brutal for the drivers. A lot of them including Charles Leclerc called this the ‘most physically demanding race’ of their careers.

The fact that Verstappen and Perez pushed their bodies to the limit in such grueling conditions at COTA last weekend is a testament to the talent and determination these two drivers possess. The Formula 1 season continues with a double header in 2 weeks time, in Mexico followed by Brazil.

Also read: “An earlier stop would have helped Hamilton win the US GP”: Mercedes feel pitting before Max Verstappen would have helped the British driver win in Austin

Post Edited By: Subham Jindal
F1 Mariana Becker Max Verstappen Red Bull Sergio Perez US GP

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Somin Bhattacharjee

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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