Max Verstappen to Miss FIA Prize-Giving Gala Due to Illness
Max Verstappen will miss the FIA's mandatory Prize-Giving Gala in Uzbekistan after coming down with the flu. The 2025 championship runner-up may face a fine for his absence, though illness could exempt him, reigniting debate about the event's compulsory status which Verstappen has publicly criticized.
Max Verstappen will not attend the FIA's year-end Prize-Giving Gala in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after falling ill. The four-time World Champion, who finished as the runner-up in the 2025 Drivers' Championship, was scheduled to collect his trophy but is understood to have contracted the flu, requiring rest and recovery.
Why it matters:
The FIA Gala is a mandatory event for the top three finishers in the Formula 1 World Championship. Verstappen's absence, while due to illness, highlights the ongoing tension between the sport's formal obligations and the athletes' desire for rest after a grueling season. His potential fine for non-attendance brings the event's compulsory nature back into focus, reminiscent of past controversies.
The details:
- Verstappen's illness followed his post-Abu Dhabi visit to the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes, where he thanked the team for their efforts in a challenging season that saw them recover to secure second place in the championship, just two points behind champion Lando Norris.
- The FIA Prize-Giving Gala is the formal closing event of the FIA's General Assemblies week, where champions from across global motorsport receive their official trophies.
- Precedent for Fines: Regulations mandate attendance, and non-compliance can result in financial penalties. Lewis Hamilton was fined £42,000 for skipping the 2021 ceremony following the controversial Abu Dhabi finale.
- Force Majeure Consideration: Sources suggest Verstappen may avoid a fine on this occasion due to his illness being considered a case of force majeure.
Between the lines:
Verstappen has been openly critical of the mandatory nature of the event. Just last weekend, he told Viaplay that attendance was "nonsense" and that he would skip it if it were optional, citing exhaustion and the need to recharge after a long season. His comments underscore a broader sentiment among drivers regarding the post-season calendar's demands. His absence, even for legitimate medical reasons, serves as a quiet protest against an obligation many drivers find burdensome.