Verstappen making late arrival to Miami GP with first child due

Max Verstappen is making a late arrival ahead of the Miami Grand Prix on Thursday due to the imminent birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet.

The couple announced they were expecting at the end of last year, and with Piquet’s due date falling very close to the race in Miami, Verstappen remained in Europe longer than usual this week. As a result, the defending champion will not arrive until late on Thursday, meaning that he will miss Thursday’s media commitments but will be ready for the start of on-track action on Friday.

“Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby,” Red Bull confirmed. “All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend. We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family.”

Piquet already has a daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who has been present at races supporting Verstappen in the past.

Verstappen will become the second father currently racing in Formula 1 after Nico Hulkenberg.

“It was a fun fact that I was the only one since Checo and K-Mag left at the end of last year, I was the only dad,” Hulkenberg said. “So yeah, he’s joining that club. I hope it’s a good sleeper! We’ve been quite fortunate and lucky. But I think there’s lots to discover – many beautiful, nice things that come with that. So I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.

“Everyone is obviously different, but personally, I don’t feel that’s the case . I feel once we step in the car – visor down, go out – even for me, I tend to forget what goes on outside because we’re just so focused and so driven to perform and maximize.

“I just personally feel it’s added benefit because it’s giving me so much outside of work and outside of being in Formula 1. So I would even say it’s kind of been helpful for me, if anything.”

George Russell also believes Verstappen could become even stronger as a result of becoming a father. Dutchman has often referenced how happy he is in his personal life regardless of his on-track performance.

“We’re all professionals, but this is a personal part of your life,” Russell said. “I guess for anyone who’s had a kid, it’s a pretty special moment. So all the best to him.

“As Nico says, I think for many people it probably brings things to your life. I know what it’s like when I see my nieces and nephews – they’re not my kids, but they bring me so much joy when I spend time with them. And you’ve seen drivers in the past win championships and races who’ve got kids, so I don’t see it changing anything on his professional level.”

“I just wish him all the best,” Lewis Hamilton added. “It’s such a special thing, I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was, and big congrats to him.”