Max Verstappen’s team-mate passes out during race before several hours of treatment

Jules Gounon battled severe food poisoning during the GT World Challenge at Circuit Paul Ricard and passed out in the garage after completing his stint for Verstappen Racing

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Jules Gounon suffered a health scare while representing Verstappen Racing(Image: INSTAGRAM)

One of Max Verstappen’s team-mates has given a health update after collapsing during a GT race at the weekend. Jules Gounon managed to complete two stints alongside team-mates Dani Juncadella and Chris Lulham in the Verstappen Racing entry at the GT World Challenge Europe, held at Circuit Paul-Ricard, but he was battling food poisoning and his condition took an alarming turn after he climbed out of the cockpit.

Gounon collapsed in the garage while his team-mates were still out on track and required several hours of treatment at the medical centre. He subsequently took to Instagram to update his followers on how he was doing. In a detailed post, the 31-year-old described the race as ‘one of the hardest’ of his career and expressed his gratitude to his team for supporting him through the difficult experience.

“Sometimes it’s not about the result, it’s about what you go through to get there,” wrote Gounon. “P9 after a tough race for us, but still the beginning of our journey in GT World Challenge with @verstappencom Racing. Proud of the effort @dani_juncadella @chrislulham20.

“Last night I got food poisoning, lost a lot of fluids and barely slept. Big thanks to Dani (as always there for me in the tough moments) for getting me to the medical centre at 7am, and to all the doctors and paramedics who made me fit to race.”

“I rested as much as I could before the race and I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I still gave everything in the double stint, probably one of the hardest I’ve ever done.

“I’ve never struggled that much in a race car and pushed myself to a point I didn’t think I could reach. After the stint, I completely passed out and ended up gaining back another trip at the medical centre for a few hours.

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Jules Gounon suffered severe problems(Image: Jakob Ebrey, LAT Imagesvia Getty Images)

“Massive thanks to the medical team for taking such good care of me, and to the Two Seas Motorsport crews who stayed with me there. Not the result we wanted, but a day that reminded me what resilience really means and what you’re made of.”

Gounon will join forces with Verstappen, Juncadella and Lucas Auer to tackle the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours next month. It will be Verstappen’s first appearance at the celebrated endurance race, widely regarded as one of the most gruelling tests any driver can face in motorsport.

He, alongside Gounon as a team-mate, has already competed in a number of GT outings at the notoriously unforgiving German circuit, known as the Green Hell, in preparation for what lies ahead.