Max Verstappen says only a select few people in and around the Red Bull team knew about his blurred vision problems that came along following his enormous shunt at the 2021 British Grand Prix.
The Dutchman’s problems with sight came after a heavy crash at Silverstone following contact with Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap of the race. It was a 51G impact at Copse.
The vision issues hit their peak during the United States Grand Prix, as Verstappen was closing in on his first world title. Despite his vision difficulties, and having much older tyres than Hamilton in the final stint, he went on to win the race in superb fashion.
In Drive to Survive, footage showed the now 26-year-old complain about his health once again, with the lights of the night race causing him more problems.
The quotes appeared in Red Bulletin before being removed, but it was picked up by many before it happened.
It led to some questions for the Red Bull driver and three-time World Champion ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
When asked to clarify the situation, Verstappen confirmed that he is fully healthy, and he has been since the conclusion of the 2021 season.
“It was just in ‘21. After that, it went away. But it did occur back then.
“It didn’t happen before [vision problems before Silverstone], let’s say it like that.
“It’s not something that I would advise for people to have while driving. But we are racing drivers, you deal with all sorts of stuff.
“Everyone is walking around here, but always here and there people have like little injuries or whatever. I mean, those things happen.”
The intense title battle with Hamilton meant not many people knew about Verstappen’s issue as they worked to cure it.
He said when asked how many people knew: “People around the team and a specialist.”
“[But] it got cured, luckily. I don’t want to go into detail. No one needs to know.”
