Max Verstappen makes stance clear on skipping F1 race to witness birth of first child
Max Verstappen insists he won’t skip a Formula 1 race this year – even if it means missing the birth of his first child.
The Dutchman will become a father for the first time in 2025. He and long-term partner Kelly Piquet announced in December, in the week leading up to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, that they are expecting their first child together.
Piquet already has a daughter, Penelope, through her previous relationship with former Red Bull racer Daniil Kvyat. She will get a sibling in the coming months, though the due date of Verstappen’s first biological child remains unknown to the public.
Verstappen again enters the new F1 season as the defending champion, though not as the favourite for the title. McLaren, as the 2024 constructors’ champions, are expected to start the new campaign strongly and star racer Lando Norris is being tipped for the drivers’ title.
If his Red Bull car is indeed inferior, then Verstappen will need to maximise his results over the 24 races to be held this year if he is to win a fifth straight championship. Perhaps with that in mind, the 27-year-old has made it clear he is not willing to skip a race – even if Piquet goes into labour.
“It’s possible, but I won’t do it,” he is quoted as having said by Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad. “This is just part of being a Formula 1 driver. If it happens, it happens. I can’t do anything about it.
“Unfortunately, Formula 1 drivers don’t get any free time, but at the same time, I’m not the one who gives birth. Anything is possible, but in Formula 1 that doesn’t exist. You can’t take two months off. Or I have to be suspended because I have too many penalty points for swearing.”
Verstappen went on to say he is excited to become a father, adding: “But it’s hard to put into words as long as the baby isn’t here yet. I’m looking forward to it, also to how I’m going to experience it all year. To be honest, I hope not much changes.”
Verstappen and his partner Kelly, the daughter of former F1 champion Nelson Piquet, have been an item since October 2020. They remain unmarried but, in light of the new addition to their family, the Dutchman admitted that wedding bells could soon be heard.
Quizzed on the matter by Swiss outlet Blick, he simply replied: “Not yet, but it will probably happen soon.” Verstappen will this week fly to Bahrain for three days of pre-season testing, before the first race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, is held in mid-March.
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.
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