Max Verstappen's teammate Jules Gounon collapses after racing with food poisoning

GT racing driver Jules Gounon, a teammate of Max Verstappen in other racing series, required hours of medical care after passing out following a race stint he completed while suffering from severe food poisoning. The French driver pushed through illness to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe opener at Paul Ricard, highlighting the extreme physical demands and risks drivers sometimes face.

Why it matters:

This incident underscores the intense physical toll of motorsport, even in endurance GT racing, and the dangerous lengths to which drivers will go to compete. It raises questions about health protocols and the fine line between resilience and risking serious medical consequences for the sake of competition.

The details:

• Gounon participated in the race with teammates Dani Juncadella and Chris Lulham, finishing ninth, despite having contracted food poisoning the night before which caused significant fluid loss and prevented sleep.
• After completing a demanding double stint in the car—which he described as one of the hardest of his career—Gounon completely passed out and was taken to the medical center for several hours of treatment.
• In a social media post, he thanked Juncadella for immediate assistance and praised the track medical team and his 2 Seas Motorsport crew for their care, stating the ordeal tested his personal resilience.
• The event also featured the participation of Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll in a different car, which accrued over eight minutes of penalties during the race.

What's next:

Gounon's update suggests he is on the mend, framing the experience as a brutal test of character. The focus for his team now shifts to recovery and continued preparation for the prestigious Nürburgring 24-hour race, a grueling endurance event where driver fitness is paramount.