Ex-Minardi racer Marques 'thought I would die' from COVID-19
Former Minardi Formula 1 driver Tarso Marques says he was terrified that he was going to die after a serious case of the COVID-19 virus, from which he is now recovering.
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Speaking to Caras magazine, Marques – who started 24 Grands Prix across three seasons for Minardi – revealed he had 85% of his lungs compromised and was rushed to intensive care in hospital.
The 45-year-old, who now runs a vehicle customization company and also raced in IndyCar and Brazilian Stock Cars, reported that he “even made a will” while he was in hospital.
“I thought it was all right – I was always very healthy, I had good nutrition, I did physical activity,” said Marques. “I thought that nothing would happen to me. What I really cared about was my parents.
“Two hours after this new diagnosis, I was already short of breath. Another hour and I couldn't breathe anymore. Now, speaking in this interview, I still only have 30% of my lung capacity.
“The first three, four days in the hospital were like terror. You are practically dead there. It destroys you. I got so much medicine – every three hours a tray with an injection, corticosteroids [anti-inflammatory steroids]. I spent nine days without sleep, I used oxygen at the limit.
“And it happened one thing after another – stomach pain, there is an allergy out of nowhere in my legs, I am still full of spots, I was sobbing for two whole days, I had a hellish headache. The virus is attacking every place.
"It looks like it doesn't give up. I thought I was going to die. I even made a will. I stayed like that for two more days. When I started to get better, at night I was afraid that improvement was a false alarm.”
Despite the serious nature of his symptoms, Marques is now expected to make a full recovery by his doctors.
Tarso Marques in hospital with Covid-19
Photo by: Arquivo pessoal
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Related video
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments