Max Verstappen faced an unexpected start to his day at the Dutch Grand Prix on Friday when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) paid him a visit at 7 a.m.
The reigning world champion was awakened in his motorhome at the Zandvoort circuit, just hours before the first practice session was set to begin.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, WADA required a urine sample from the Red Bull driver.
But the unscheduled 'pit stop' was a bit of a laborious affair for Max, who was reportedly not pleased with the early morning interruption and only only able to provide the sample an hour later.
WADA’s visit was part of its standard procedure to conduct random doping tests across all sports, including Formula 1.
These tests are designed to ensure that all athletes comply with anti-doping regulations, and they can happen at any time without prior notice.
WADA's officials typically opt for early morning visits, as they believe it's the most effective time to obtain accurate samples when athletes are less likely to be dehydrated, which can affect test results.
Red Bull motorsport Helmut Marko confirmed the unexpected wake-up visit to Verstappen’s motorhome, noting that the Dutchman was "a bit grumpy" after being roused from his sleep.
"It is only a Friday, we should not make it bigger than it is,” said Marko. “People from such an agency often come early, because then it is easy to deliver a first pee..."
Despite the abrupt start to his day, Verstappen managed to refocus ahead of the first practice session as he set his sights on claiming a fourth consecutive victory at his home race.
The three-time world champion is also aiming for his first win since the Spanish Grand Prix, underscoring the importance of maintaining concentration and composure in the face of unexpected events.
Verstappen will start on the front row at Zandvoort, lining up alongside McLaren's Lando Norris, who secured pole position.
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