Verstappen has gone through a surprise doping check ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix
Three-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen received a surprise wake-up call to perform a doping check ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen has had a challenging home race weekend at Zandvoort. Although he has displayed strong pace over the first two days, he was unable to beat the McLaren of Lando Norris in yesterday's qualifying, and had to settle for P2 on the grid for today’s Dutch Grand Prix.
It has now emerged that the Dutch driver was contacted by the doping agency on Friday morning to perform a doping test.
Verstappen was still in bed in his motorhome when the doping control paid him a visit at 7 a.m. before the opening practice session.
Speaking of the surprise doping check, Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko confirmed to De Telegraaf:"Max was a bit grumpy.
"It’s just a Friday. We shouldn’t make it bigger than it is. People from such an agency often come early because then it’s easy to deliver a first pee…”
Expanding on the doping check, Verstappen stated that he was surprised to have been asked to complete the check so early in the morning.
"By the way, I had a lovely morning this morning," he said.
"So I’m in bed, and suddenly the doorbell rings. And I’m like ‘What the f**k? Who the f**k is ringing the doorbell in the motorhome?’.”
"And I look at my phone, it’s seven o’clock. I’m like ‘What the f**k? What the f**k is going on’.
"So I got to the door, opened the door, yeah, doping control. At 7 AM, mate. That’s a great start to the weekend.”
"And then it took me one hour to go to the toilet," concluded the championship runaway leader.
