Max Verstappen to Miss FIA Awards in Tashkent Due to Illness

Max Verstappen will not attend the FIA's end-of-season awards gala in Tashkent after falling ill with seasonal flu, forcing the Red Bull driver to miss the celebration of his runner-up finish in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.

Why it matters:

The FIA Prize Giving Ceremony is a formal event where the top three drivers in the championship are required to attend. Verstappen's absence, while due to legitimate illness, is notable given his history with the event and marks a subdued end to a tumultuous season where he narrowly lost the title to Lando Norris after a fierce battle.

The details:

• Verstappen was expected to appear alongside champion Lando Norris and third-place Oscar Piastri at the gala in Uzbekistan's capital.
• According to Dutch media reports, the illness struck after a visit to the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes, leading him to cancel his travel plans.
• Beyond the podium celebration, Verstappen was also nominated for the FIA Action of the Year award for his overtake on Oscar Piastri around the outside of Tamburello on the first lap of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, a move that secured his victory at Imola.
• This incident contrasts with his mandatory attendance at last year's gala in Kigali, where he performed community service as a penalty for using offensive language in a press conference.

The big picture:

Reflecting on his 2025 season in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen described it as a "massive rollercoaster," acknowledging a difficult first half but expressing pride in his team's resilience. "I’m also very proud of how we never gave up," he stated, offering congratulations to Norris and McLaren for their "incredible season." His absence from the awards ceremony coincides with a significant day for the FIA itself, as President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re-elected for a second term unopposed after procedural hurdles blocked potential challengers from entering the race.

What's next:

With the 2025 season officially concluded, the focus for Verstappen and Red Bull shifts entirely to 2026. The team will aim to rebound from a season where they lost both championships, while Verstappen will seek to reclaim the crown that ended his four-year reign as World Champion.