Max Verstappen struck down by illness ahead of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Formula One champion Max Verstappen’s arrival at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was delayed after the Dutchman was struck down.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - MARCH 05: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 05, 2023 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Double world champion Max Verstappen has delayed his arrival at this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix by 24 hours due to a stomach illness and missed Thursday’s media day.

But the 25-year-old Dutchman confirmed in a tweet that he is “feeling fine again” and, having delayed his flight to Jeddah, will instead arrive for practice on Friday.

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His Red Bull team also tweeted to confirm Verstappen’s absence.

“Max has been suffering from a stomach illness over the past few days and with the agreement of the FIA will not be present on track today,” said the team.

After victory in a crushing Red Bull one-two at the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen leads the drivers’ championship ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen was sick ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton said has no intention of leaving struggling Mercedes but admitted his choice of words had created unnecessary problems for the team in the aftermath of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The seven-time champion explained that he was not seeking a move to another team and was fully committed to staying with the former dominant champions.

“In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best choice of words,” said Hamilton, referring to his complaint that the team had not listened to him when reviewing their performance and car last year, when they won only one race.

“But no … There are, of course, times where you are not in agreement with certain team members, but what’s important is that we continue to communicate, we continue to pull together.

“I still have 100 per cent belief in this team. It is my family and I have been here a long time, so I don’t plan on going anywhere else.

Lewis Hamilton says he won’t bail on Mercedes. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

“But we all need a kick. We all need to get on. And the proof is in the pudding.

“We have seen where the performance is and how people are extracting the performance and we have got to now start making some bold decisions, some big moves, in order to close the gap to these guys.”

Red Bull cruised to a crushing one-two in Bahrain, while Fernando Alonso marked his debut for the Mercedes-powered customer team, Aston Martin, by finishing a charging third.

“They (Red Bull) will run away with it most likely this year unless Ferrari stops them,” said Hamilton.

“At some point during this year, we are hopeful we can close the gap — but by that point, it will probably be too late to fight for a championship.”

Hamilton finished a distant fifth in Bahrain and last year completed the first season of his career without winning a race.

His disappointment and post-race comments led to claims that he was set to seek a move elsewhere in pursuit of a record eighth title.