Max Verstappen grounded on medical advice, misses FIA gala but sends heartfelt message
Max Verstappen was notably absent from the FIA Prize Giving Gala held in Uzbekistan, but the four-time Formula 1 world champion made sure his presence was still felt despite being unable to attend in person. The Red Bull driver revealed that medical professionals had advised him against flying after he fell ill, forcing him to miss one of the sport’s most prestigious annual events.
Earlier reports had confirmed that Verstappen would not be present at the ceremony due to suffering from flu-like symptoms. While illness alone would have been enough to justify his absence, Verstappen later clarified that doctors had explicitly prevented him from travelling, citing concerns over his condition. As a result, the Dutchman missed the opportunity to watch newly crowned world champion Lando Norris receive his Drivers’ Championship trophy, as well as to collect his own award on stage.
Despite being unable to attend in person, Verstappen recorded a video message that was played to the audience during the ceremony. In the message, he apologised for his absence and took time to congratulate the evening’s winners, the FIA leadership, and rival teams.
“Hi everyone, Max here,” Verstappen said in his message. “I’m very sorry that I couldn’t be with you guys tonight. Doctors have prevented me from flying.”
Verstappen also acknowledged the re-election of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who will now continue in his role for another four-year term after first taking office in 2021. The Red Bull driver expressed optimism about the future of the sport under the FIA’s continued leadership.
“I want to give big congratulations first of all to our president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for being re-elected,” Verstappen continued. “I’m sure there will be very exciting times ahead of us together.”
Although Verstappen narrowly missed out on securing a fifth consecutive world title this season, he was still recognised at the gala for one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 campaign. He won the FIA ‘Action of the Year’ award for his breathtaking overtake on Oscar Piastri during the Imola Grand Prix, where he swept around the outside of the McLaren driver at Turn Three in a daring and perfectly executed move.
The award served as a reminder of Verstappen’s relentless racing style and ability to produce moments of brilliance even in a season where Red Bull faced stronger competition than in previous years.
In his message, Verstappen also extended warm praise to McLaren and, in particular, Lando Norris, who ended Verstappen’s championship dominance by claiming the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. Norris secured the title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, becoming one of the standout performers of the season.
“Besides that, I wanted to say a big congrats to all the winners out there,” Verstappen said. “I know everyone is always working very hard for their success, so be very proud and enjoy the night. A big congratulations to McLaren and especially Lando. You guys had an unbelievable season, and it was really cool to be able to race against you until the end.”
The FIA Prize Giving Gala was not solely focused on Formula 1, as the event also celebrated achievements across all FIA-governed championships. One of the standout honourees was Formula 3 champion Rafael Câmara, who received the FIA Rookie of the Year award following a sensational debut season. Câmara broke multiple records and clinched the F3 title with a race still remaining, marking one of the most dominant rookie campaigns in recent memory.
Ferrari also enjoyed a moment in the spotlight, with its endurance racing programme receiving recognition after securing its first World Endurance Championship titles since 1972. The achievement marked a significant milestone for the Italian manufacturer and highlighted its resurgence on the global endurance racing stage.
Meanwhile, Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli was presented with his championship trophy, rounding off a night that celebrated success across single-seaters, endurance racing, and the wider motorsport community.
Although Verstappen’s absence was felt, his message struck a respectful and gracious tone, reflecting both his professionalism and sportsmanship. While illness kept him grounded this time, the Red Bull star ensured that his voice was still part of an evening dedicated to recognising excellence across motorsport.
As the 2025 season draws to a close, attention will soon turn to what promises to be another fiercely competitive year ahead, with Verstappen, Norris, and the rest of the grid preparing to write the next chapter in Formula 1’s ever-evolving story.
