Max Verstappen is about to take on his biggest challenge yet – becoming a dad. The three-time Formula 1 champion and his partner Kelly Piquet shared the exciting news just before the season’s final race.
"It’s super exciting," Verstappen said on the Talking Bulls podcast, clearly thrilled about the upcoming addition to his family.
The 26-year-old Dutch driver isn’t completely new to parenting. He’s already had some practice with Kelly’s daughter Penelope, who’s become a familiar face in the F1 paddock and even pops up in Verstappen’s sim racing streams.
"Luckily I did get a little bit of training with Penelope, seeing her grow up already for like four years. Which has been really, really nice," he shared.
But having his own child? That’s going to be different.
"When it’s going to be fully your own [kid]… Yes, it’s going to be a different challenge. But I’m looking forward to it," Verstappen said.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner couldn’t resist making a joke about the baby’s future, saying he’s already got a contract ready for the newest member of the Verstappen racing dynasty. After all, between Max and his father Jos, the family’s already got quite the racing pedigree.
But Max has other ideas for his child.
"I need to speak to Christian about that. Because I actually don’t want him or her to go into racing," he revealed.
Instead, the F1 champ sees different possibilities: "Maybe he or she can design future cars or whatever. I mean, you never know, right?"
