P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen will skip the FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Uzbekistan after coming down with the flu.
Max Verstappen will not attend the FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Uzbekistan due to having contracted the flu. He was supposed to travel to Tashkent to accept his award for finishing second in the 2025 season, but reports suggest his illness prevented his attendance. Following his victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing him the runner-up position behind Lando Norris, Verstappen had planned to visit Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory for team engagements before falling ill. Despite the gala’s requirement for the top three drivers to be present, sources indicate that the FIA may consider Verstappen’s situation as force majeure, potentially exempting him from penalties. Verstappen has been vocal about his discontent with the mandatory nature of the event, highlighting the toll of a demanding season and expressing appreciation for his team’s collective efforts in overcoming challenges.
