Verstappen physically 'broken' after Imola GP: 'Want to take painkillers'

It was an eventful weekend for Max Verstappen. In addition to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Dutchman competed in the virtual 24 Hours of Nurburgring and had to go to the limit in the Formula 1 race to stay ahead of Lando Norris. He says he feels physically "broken," but not because he did too much work.

Verstappen brought his simulator with him to Imola so that he could take part in the 24-hour race on behalf of Team Redline and the F1 race. Asked if he is exhausted after that double shift, Verstappen replied that he is indeed broken, but not for the reason suggested.

"I'm just broken from the bumps, to be honest," he explained. "It's not so much from the physical side of things, but it was so bumpy out there already after like 20 laps, I could really feel my back. I'm just looking forward to laying in bed, maybe taking some painkillers," he added, laughing.

The Dutchman's team won the sim race, in which Verstappen did a stint in the evening and morning before the GP in Imola. After his final stint, his teammates drove Team Redline's number 20 car to victory.