Jules Gounon, scheduled to team up with Max Verstappen for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, suffered a collapse due to food poisoning after a challenging race at Paul Ricard. Despite the ordeal, Gounon is on the mend and expressed gratitude to his teammates and medical staff.
Jules Gounon, who is set to partner with Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, recently shared an update on his health after a rather strenuous experience at the GT World Challenge opener in Paul Ricard. The French driver had been battling food poisoning leading up to the six-hour endurance race, which left him severely dehydrated and sleep-deprived. Nonetheless, Gounon took to the track alongside teammates Dani Juncadella and Chris Lulham, determined to push through the race.
Unfortunately, the physical toll of a double stint proved too much, and Gounon collapsed upon exiting his car. He was promptly taken to the track’s medical center, where he spent several hours as his condition was stabilized. Reflecting on the ordeal via Instagram, Gounon said, "Sometimes it’s not about the result, it’s about what you go through to get there." Despite their ninth-place finish, he remains proud of the effort put in by his team, including Juncadella and Lulham.
Gounon expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his challenging ordeal. "Big thanks to Dani for getting me to the medical center at 7am, and to all the doctors and paramedics who made me fit to race," he wrote. "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." He also extended his thanks to the @2seasmotorsport crew for their support at the medical center.
Despite the setback, Gounon remains focused on the future, noting that the day taught him about resilience and determination. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who will participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifiers with teammate Lucas Auer, confirmed that he would likely step in to assist Auer given that Juncadella and Gounon might not be able to participate. "Qualifies at the moment is only Lucas on the car. So I would feel a bit sorry for him if he has to do everything by himself!" Verstappen remarked, underscoring the camaraderie and team spirit within the squad.
As the team prepares for the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Gounon's experience serves as a reminder of the physical demands and unpredictability inherent in motorsport. His story also highlights the importance of teamwork and the support systems in place to help drivers overcome such challenges.