Red Bull chief explains why Max Verstappen snubbed Saudi debriefing after Sergio Perez win

The team had responded to Verstappen's message to fans detailing his stomach problem. "I feel good again, after a few days of inactivity due to a stomach ache," he said. "So unfortunately I had to reschedule my flight for a day, so I won't be on the track until Friday. See you in Jeddah!"

Marko also took a swipe at third driver Daniel Ricciardo, as he claimed junior driver Liam Lawson would be used if Verstappen or Perez were unavailable for a race this season.

"Liam Lawson, our Formula 2 driver and Super Formula man in Japan, who was here," Marko told Sky Germany when asked who would have replaced Verstappen if he hadn't recovered from his illness.