‘Nonsense’ Max Verstappen theory rubbished by ex-Red Bull F1 driver

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Max Verstappen announced at the final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi that he is going to become a father.

The Red Bull driver is expecting his first child with girlfriend Kelly Piquet, with the pair sharing the news after he won a fourth world title in a row this year.

Even though he is only 27 years old, Verstappen is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid. Fernando Alonso made his debut before seven F1 drivers on next year’s grid were born, highlighting the staggering age difference.

Verstappen will be one of two drivers on the grid with kids, the other being Nico Hulkenberg. There is a myth that F1 drivers slow down once they become parents, but that has been rubbished by former Red Bull F1 driver Robert Doornbos on the GP Fans NL podcast.

Robert Doornbos rubbishes Max Verstappen theory on becoming a father

The theory is that when F1 drivers become parents, they don’t want to push their cars to the limits they need to beat rivals.

This impacts their speed as they become more aware of the risks involved with motorsport and the potential for serious injury. But Doornbos thinks Verstappen will not be too bothered about the issue.

Doornbos said: “Well that’s nonsense actually because I think he already knew before Brazil that he was going to be a father and I think the fact that he took all the risks [there] I don’t think that’s going to be a thing [that impacts him].”

Max Verstappen is confident becoming a father won’t impact his speed

Verstappen has previously stated that he has prior experience looking after a kid with him caring alongside Piquet for the child she had with former Red Bull driver, Daniil Kvyat.

But what could see the Dutchman have to adapt his racing style in the early part of the 2025 season is that Verstappen is currently close to a one-race ban, having racked up eight penalty points on his F1 superlicence.

Drivers receive an automatic one-race ban if they reach 12 penalty points, so Verstappen has joked that he will try to earn more penalties to take some parenting leave when Piquet gives birth.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

It is difficult to imagine that Verstappen will lose any speed in the next couple of years, given how dominant he has been in F1. Also, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya does not think fatherhood will affect Verstappen’s speed.

Verstappen has entered the top three in the all-time win list with his 2023 and 2024 seasons, which earned him his third and fourth titles in succession.