Max Verstappen Admits Illness During Barcelona Test 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen has revealed that he was unwell throughout the five-day Formula 1 2026 pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a factor that added further difficulty to an already disrupted week for Oracle Red Bull Racing.

Verstappen’s running during the Barcelona test was spread unevenly across the week. The four-time world champion first took to the track during Tuesday morning, before Red Bull’s programme was heavily affected by a significant crash involving Isack Hadjar later that afternoon. The incident forced the Milton Keynes-based team to suspend further running until the final day of the test.

As a result, Verstappen completed his main workload on Friday, driving throughout the final day of running. He finished the session with the fifth-fastest lap time, a 1:17.586, while also completing 118 laps of the Barcelona circuit. The mileage represented an important data-gathering exercise for Red Bull under the new technical regulations, despite the interruptions earlier in the week.

Hadjar’s crash significantly complicated Red Bull’s testing schedule and reduced the team’s flexibility in evaluating performance and setup options. Nevertheless, Verstappen maintained that the test remained productive overall, particularly in terms of understanding the car and its new power unit.

“We learned a lot, even though I wasn’t able to drive very much on the first morning,” Verstappen said.

“We will now analyse all the data.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Verstappen acknowledged that several areas still require improvement, but stressed that this is expected at such an early stage of development. He highlighted the number of laps completed as a positive outcome, especially given the introduction of a new engine package for 2026.

“It’s clear that there are still many things we want to improve, but I think that’s normal,” he added.

“Overall, the fact that we were able to do so many laps this week with a new engine is positive.”

During interviews after Friday’s running, Verstappen appeared visibly unwell before confirming that he had been ill throughout the test week. Despite this, he expressed confidence that his condition would not be an issue by the time the season begins.

“By the start of the season, I’m sure I’ll be feeling better,” Verstappen concluded.

With the Barcelona pre-season test now complete, Red Bull will turn its attention to detailed data analysis and further preparation ahead of the next phase of testing. For Verstappen, regaining full fitness alongside continued technical progress will be central to Red Bull’s readiness for the opening rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season.