Max Verstappen gives his first reaction on becoming a father
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen said he was "excited" to become a father after he and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet announced they would become parents next year. The two have been dating for the last four years and the Brazilian model is often spotted in the paddocks during race weekends, cheering on the four-time champion.
On Friday, December 6, Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet took to Instagram in a joint post to announce the news of their pregnancy, writing:
"Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️ We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle."
While entering the paddock ahead of the Friday Practice sessions at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was asked if he was excited to be a father, to which the Dutch driver replied by claiming that he was "already a bonus dad" to Penelope Kvyat:
"Yeah. I mean, of course, I'm already kind of a bonus dad but I'm still very excited."
Kelly Piquet is the daughter of former three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet Sr., who predominately raced in the sport in the 80s. Piquet already shares a five-year-old daughter named Penelope with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
When Max Verstappen gave his honest opinion on having kids
Speaking to Dutch publication Limburger in December 2022, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen opened up on his opinion about having kids, mentioning that he would have a different parenting style compared to his father, Jos Verstappen.
Talking about his parenting approach, Max said (as quoted by Formula1news):
“I definitely want kids and if they want to race, that’s fine," Verstappen said. "I do think I would do it differently than how my father and I did it. I don’t see that at the moment. But it’s easy for me to talk because I don’t have kids. Maybe I’ll think very differently when the time comes. But, the passion he had went very far."
While praising his father Jos for the determination he instilled in him, Verstappen said he wouldn't pressure his kids to pursue a career in racing:
“He did everything for me. Tuning engines, preparing karts. I don’t see myself doing that. In any case, I’m not going to push my kids to race. They have to want it themselves. And if you do go all out with your son or daughter, then you can no longer drive in Formula 1 yourself, I think. You have to start laying the foundation from the age of four. I want to be there myself,” he added.
Given the kid would arrive in 2025, it would be fascinating to see if Max Verstappen would continue racing in the sport in his late 30s as his current contract expires in 2028.
Addressing his future in the sport during an interview in October, Verstappen said that his next F1 contract could be his last one, but believed that anything was possible and he wasn't too fussed about his future in F1.