Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have welcomed a baby! Their daughter, Lily, was born in good health, the couple announced on social media last Friday. Now that Verstappen has become a father for the first time, the persistent assumption that drivers with children become slower is gaining traction again. Christian Horner immediately debunks this assumption – in Verstappen’s case. The Dutchman is said to be too level-headed for such superstition.
Firstly, where does this assumption actually come from? In the legendary words of reporter Walter Koster: “A short view back to the past.” Nearly twenty years ago, a young Fernando Alonso overtook his rival Michael Schumacher during the GP of Japan. A daring manoeuvre in the infamous 130R corner earned the Spaniard a podium finish. After the race, journalists at Suzuka asked how Alonso knew the action would not result in a crash. “I knew he (Schumacher) would brake because he has a wife and two children at home,” he coolly responded.
‘Max is too level-headed for that’
Since then, some experts have assumed that drivers lose pace once they have children. In the run-up to the Miami Grand Prix, and with the news that Max Verstappen has become a father, Christian Horner was naturally asked about this. “I don’t think it has any influence,” the Brit responded immediately. “Max (Verstappen) has always been very level-headed, and he already has a stepdaughter,” Horner referred to Penelope, the daughter of Kelly Piquet. “That has never had an effect on his performance.”
“Verstappen has been performing at such a high level for so long,” Horner added. “What continues to amaze me about him – even after ten years – is that he knows how to get everything out of the car. He remains so cool, even under the most difficult circumstances. As soon as the pressure is ramped up, he seems to thrive.” Finally, Horner was asked about a possible future for Lily Verstappen in Formula 1 – somewhat tongue-in-cheek, of course. “I think the teams are lining up to sign her in the long term,” he joked. “With her heritage, why not?”
