Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is expecting a child with his partner Kelly Piquet next year. Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko already looked ahead in an exclusive interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de: The Dutchman probably won’t miss a race, he won’t do the competition that favor.
Dr. Helmut Marko does not expect Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen to miss a race next season due to the impending birth of his first child. “I don’t believe that,” said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant in an exclusive conversation with Felix Görner from RTL/ntv and sport.de.
Verstappen is “a very family person,” says Marko, “but racing is his priority. Unless there are very exceptional circumstances, which we don’t want to accept.”
The long-time Verstappen supporter and confidant revealed that there is no corresponding clause in the Red Bull contract. According to English law, there are clauses for racing engineers that allow them to miss “up to four or five races” if there are offspring in the family. But that’s not the case with Max Verstappen – “as much as the competition might want that.” Means: The series world champion will not go on parental leave.
Will Verstattle be three tenths slower in the future?
Marko gives an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de He is also convinced that the birth of the child will not have a particularly negative impact on Verstappen’s performance. “It is generally said that a driver becomes three tenths slower with the first child. That would mean that Max would come into the range of some of the other top drivers – but he would still be a little above that,” said the man from Graz in a relaxed manner: “Looking at it that way : no problem.”
Max Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet, daughter of the Brazilian ex-pilot Nelson Piquet, has a daughter from a previous relationship with the Russian Daniil Kvyat, Marko emphasized. Verstappen takes “touching” care of the child: “This shows his love for children.”
Meanwhile, the Dutchman is certainly the “favorite” for the World Cup title next year, said the 81-year-old. From Red Bull’s perspective, Verstappen will also be “the clear number one” in 2025.