Nico Hülkenberg, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton have already congratulated Max Verstappen on his impending fatherhood. Although it is still unknown whether the Dutchman has become a father yet, his girlfriend Kelly Piquet is reportedly about to give birth. Nico Hülkenberg, in particular, has some advice for Verstappen. ‘I mainly hope the baby is a good sleeper,’ the German jokes.
While it remains unclear whether Max Verstappen and girlfriend Kelly Piquet have already become parents, news came through earlier on Thursday that the Dutchman would not be present at the press day in Miami. Red Bull cited Piquet’s imminent delivery as the reason. Even during the press conference preceding the Grand Prix weekend, it is still not clear whether the four-time world champion has become a father, but his colleagues already have some advice for his new (future) role.”Nico Hülkenberg, since the departure of Sergio Pérez and former teammate Kevin Magnussen, is the only father on the grid. “Verstappen is now joining that club, and I mainly hope that (the baby) is a good sleeper,” jokes the German. “We were lucky in that regard. There are many beautiful and fun things that come with having a child. I’m sure he’s going to enjoy it.”
No Slower Verstappen
A persistent assumption in Formula 1 is that drivers become slower once they have a child. Earlier, (prospective) grandfather Jos Verstappen already called this ‘nonsense’, and Hülkenberg agrees with the rally driver. “As soon as we get in the car and the visor goes down, I forget what’s happening outside the car. We are so focused on performing. I personally found it an extra advantage because it has brought so much outside of work and Formula 1.”
In addition to Hülkenberg, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also congratulate Verstappen in advance, and they too do not believe that fatherhood will slow down the world champion. “I think the arrival of a child brings many new things into your life,” Russell also says. “But you just have drivers who have children and win races and championships. Therefore, I do not expect any change on a professional level for him.”
