[Saba Sports News] Max Verstappen has confirmed his absence from the FIA Year-End Awards ceremony held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, citing health issues rather than scheduling conflicts. The four-time F1 world champion has contracted the flu and needs to rest and recover, leading him to cancel his travel plans.
Fans have speculated that Verstappen may still be grappling with the disappointment of losing the championship title. According to the schedule, he was supposed to travel to Tashkent to receive the runner-up trophy for the 2025 F1 driver standings. This season, he narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive title, finishing just two points behind Lando Norris amidst fierce competition. Nonetheless, he ended the season on a high note by winning the final race in Abu Dhabi.
After the race, Verstappen headed to Milton Keynes in the UK to meet with team members at Red Bull’s headquarters for a season summary. Initially, he planned to fly to Central Asia to attend the FIA annual gala. However, reports indicated that he experienced noticeable discomfort during his time in the UK, leading to a diagnosis of flu symptoms, prompting him to cancel his trip.
Historically, drivers who miss award ceremonies without valid reasons risk facing fines. However, given that Verstappen’s absence is due to unforeseen health issues, he is likely to be exempt from any financial penalties. In contrast, Lewis Hamilton faced a fine of approximately £42,000 in 2021 for refusing to attend the award ceremony following the controversial Abu Dhabi season.