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Will Verstappen miss 2025 season opener for first child’s birth?
Max Verstappen (27) is on the fence about sitting out a Formula 1 race for his child’s birth. His girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, is preparing to give birth to their first child together very soon. She already has a child with former Red Bull driver Daniil Kyvat. Nevertheless, the Dutch driver recently revealed that the baby – believed to be a girl – is due around the time of next month’s season opener. And further reports indicate the child’s birth date could coincide closely with the long-awaited F1 resumption at Melbourne in mid-March.
HIS FIRST CHILD’S BIRTH
However, here’s what the quadruple world champion had to say when asked if he might choose to sit out a race and not miss his child’s birth. “It is possible, but I won’t do it! 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 free time like that. But at the same time, maybe I will be suspended because I have too many penalty points for swearing,” he joked with Dutch Algemeen Dagblad.
When asked how his child’s birth might change him, he answered tersely, “To be honest, I hope not much.” Amid rumours Verstappen could trigger an exit clause in his Red Bull contract, he did admit he has concerns about the Red Bull-Ford engine for 2026 and beyond. “Of course, there are question marks. It’s a new manufacturer so naturally there are question marks in your mind, and I think everyone has that. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to be competitive straight away. But I believe we can do a good job and I believe what people are saying,” said Verstappen.
NOT TOO STRESSED
“I could be stressed about it, but wouldn’t that just be a waste of energy? I don’t want to worry too much about life anymore. I just have to get on with life. I can be completely myself within the Red Bull team and that is very important to me. It seems like we have a bit more fun than the average team on the grid and I think that is also very important. That’s why it feels like my second family,” concluded Verstappen. – with GMM
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE IN HIS SITUATION?
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