As Max Verstappen gears up for another high-stakes Formula 1 season, there’s another major life change on the horizon—fatherhood. The reigning four-time world champion is preparing not just to defend his title in 2025 but also to welcome his first child with longtime partner Kelly Piquet.
The Dutchman has been unstoppable on the track, but will fatherhood alter his razor-sharp focus? Not a chance, says Verstappen.
Verstappen’s Take on Becoming a Father: Business as Usual in F1
Verstappen and Piquet, who made their pregnancy announcement during the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, are preparing to embrace parenthood. But the Red Bull superstar insists that his life as a driver won’t change.
“Honestly, I hope not much will change. Driving-wise, it shouldn’t,” Verstappen stated. “It’s definitely very exciting. It’s very hard to put into words until the baby is born. But I’m definitely looking forward to it and looking forward to the whole experience.”
While this is Verstappen’s first child, he has already taken on a parental role as a bonus dad to Piquet’s daughter from her previous relationship. Now, the 27-year-old is about to experience fatherhood firsthand, but he isn’t letting that shake up his championship mindset.
The ‘Second Family’ at Red Bull
2025 marks Verstappen’s 11th season in Formula 1, a staggering statistic considering his young age. He made his Red Bull debut midway through 2016, and the Milton Keynes-based squad has been his home ever since.
Verstappen has built an unbreakable bond with the team that has helped him dominate the past four seasons. He credits Red Bull for allowing him to be his true self, making it feel more like a second family than just a team.
“For me personally, I can just be myself. I think that’s very important, to be able to be yourself within a team.”
That familiarity and trust have been critical to his success, and Verstappen believes Red Bull has a different atmosphere than the rest of the grid.
“It seems like we have just a bit more fun than the average team on the grid, and I think that’s also very important.”
Red Bull’s Challenge: Staying on Top in 2025
While Verstappen seems unfazed by his off-track commitments, his on-track battle is about to get even tougher.
Red Bull may have dominated 2024, but their grip on the championship is being challenged.
- McLaren has rapidly closed the gap, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri eager to dethrone the Red Bull machine.
- Ferrari has made massive improvements, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz set to capitalize on any slip-ups.
- Mercedes is desperate to return to the front with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell still hunting for a breakthrough.
For Verstappen, the key to staying ahead of the competition is consistency, something he has mastered throughout his dominant reign.
Will fatherhood impact his performance? Not according to him. If anything, Verstappen is more locked in than ever.
“I always try to improve myself every single year. Even if it’s not car-related, it’s just driving-related. I always try to be a little bit better.”
Final Thoughts: Verstappen’s Mindset is Bulletproof
Becoming a father is a life-changing event for anyone—but don’t expect it to slow down Max Verstappen.
The four-time world champion has his eyes set on title number five, and with Red Bull behind him, he is determined to keep his reign going strong.
Fatherhood won’t be a distraction—it’s just another challenge. And if there’s one thing Verstappen has proven, it’s that he thrives under pressure.