As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Miami for the much-anticipated Grand Prix, all eyes are on reigning champion Max Verstappen, who is set to miss media day due to a significant personal milestone. The Dutch driver is expecting the arrival of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet, and the excitement surrounding this news is palpable both on and off the track.
Red Bull Racing confirmed that Verstappen would skip the promotional and media events scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025, as Piquet is expected to give birth imminently, with the due date around May 6. The team reassured fans that "all is well" and that Verstappen would join the action at the Miami circuit on Friday ahead of the opening practice session.
Verstappen, who has been in a relationship with Piquet since 2020, is no stranger to the pressures of racing, but becoming a father is a new chapter in his life. He has expressed his excitement about the impending arrival, joking about the sleepless nights that come with parenthood. "It’s super exciting. Luckily, I did get a little bit of training with Penelope, seeing her grow up already for like four years, which has also been really, really nice," Verstappen shared, referring to Piquet's daughter from a previous relationship.
As Verstappen prepares to embrace fatherhood, fellow driver Nico Hulkenberg, the only other father on the F1 grid, offered his humorous take on the situation. "I hope it is a good sleeper," he chuckled, adding that there are many beautiful experiences that come with parenthood. Hulkenberg, whose own daughter was born in 2021, dismissed the notion that becoming a father affects performance on the track. "Everyone is different, and I can only speak for myself, but I don't feel that is the case. Once we step into the car with the visor down, we go out and tend to forget what happens on the outside because we are just focused on performing and maximizing," he explained.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also weighed in on Verstappen's new role as a father. Hamilton remarked on the special nature of the occasion, recalling a brief conversation with Verstappen in Saudi Arabia where he noted the Dutch driver's excitement. "I just wish him all the best. It’s such an amazing, special thing," Hamilton said. Russell echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that while racing is a profession, the arrival of a child is a deeply personal event. "For anyone who’s had a kid, it’s a pretty special moment. So yeah, all the best to him," Russell stated.
The Miami Grand Prix weekend is particularly crucial for Verstappen, who currently sits third in the drivers’ championship standings, trailing leader Oscar Piastri by 12 points. After five races this season, Verstappen has managed one victory, but the pressure is on as he aims to secure another win on a track where he has previously enjoyed success.
As the F1 world eagerly awaits updates on the Verstappen-Piquet household, the Miami Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event filled with high-speed action and emotional moments. With Verstappen's focus shifting to family, fans are left to wonder how this new chapter will impact his performance on the track.
Flight tracking data revealed that Verstappen's private jet departed Nice on May 1 at 14:07 local time, indicating his commitment to being present for the birth while also ensuring he arrives in Miami for the race weekend. The Miami Grand Prix will kick off with an hour of opening practice at 12:30 local time on May 2, followed by Sprint Qualifying later in the afternoon.
As the drivers prepare for the challenges ahead, Verstappen's absence from media day serves as a poignant reminder that life outside of racing is just as significant as the competition itself. The F1 community is rallying behind him, offering support and congratulations as he embarks on this new journey into fatherhood.
Meanwhile, the rest of the grid remains focused on the task at hand, with drivers like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri looking to capitalize on their current momentum. Norris, who finished second in the championship last year, is determined to close the gap on his teammate Piastri, who has won three of the last four races. "I’m not going to say that forever; I know I need to get a move on and I need to get into gear a little bit," Norris said, acknowledging the competitive nature of the season.
As the Miami Grand Prix unfolds, the intersection of personal milestones and professional pursuits will undoubtedly add an extra layer of intrigue to the already high-stakes environment of Formula 1. For Verstappen, the upcoming days will be a whirlwind of emotions, balancing the thrill of racing with the joy of welcoming a new life into the world.
