Red Bull has denied reports that Max Verstappen passed out after a practice session in Malaysia.
British newspapers The Times and The Telegraph said that on the occasion of the Dutchman’s 19th birthday on Friday, he collapsed due to dehydration at Sepang.
Given the searing heat in Kuala Lumpur, the story sounded credible.
"I don’t think I’ve ever seen track temperatures so high," Verstappen’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo is quoted by Germany’s Auto Bild.
But a Red Bull spokesman told Speed Week: "Max did not faint or collapse.
"He got out of the car and felt dizzy for a moment, but after a few seconds the feeling was gone and there were no problems."