Max Verstappen’s life just hit overdrive—again! Not only did the Dutch sensation bag his fourth World Championship in the 2024 F1 season, but he’s also gearing up for another big milestone: fatherhood.
Verstappen and his long-time girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, recently announced they’re expecting a baby, sending fans into a frenzy. And, trust Helmut Marko—Red Bull’s ever-entertaining advisor—to add some fuel to the fire. Marko hilariously hinted that Verstappen’s baby might inherit some seriously fast genes. But let’s be honest—when both parents are F1 royalty, the baby’s first steps might just be in pole position!
Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, already has racing in her DNA. Pair that with Verstappen’s unmatched skill on the track, and you might just have the makings of a future F1 legend. Even Marko couldn’t resist joking about it:
“That’s a bit far-fetched, but if the grandfather is a three-time world champion and the father a four-time, there must be some potential in terms of genes,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung.
Imagine a baby who could shift gears before learning the alphabet. While Marko’s comment was tongue-in-cheek, it’s hard not to picture Verstappen’s child trading in toy cars for a kart by age two.
Marko didn’t stop at gene talk. He also weighed in on whether the baby’s gender could influence its racing potential. Spoiler alert—it won’t.
“We don’t know yet whether it will be a boy or a girl, which ultimately doesn’t matter. Fast women are just as desirable,” Marko quipped.
F1 fans immediately pointed out that Verstappen’s child could redefine the term racing prodigy regardless of gender. After all, talent doesn’t discriminate—and neither do speeding tickets.
While Verstappen is no stranger to high-pressure situations on the track, he’s about to experience a whole new kind of pressure—diaper duty! But the 27-year-old already seems ready for the challenge.
Verstappen, who’s been a bonus dad to Kelly Piquet’s daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, has shown he’s got a soft side off the track. And he’s already joking about needing more vacations to keep up with his growing family.
“I’m probably going to need a few more days off now!” Verstappen laughed during a recent interview.
Looks like Verstappen’s pit stops might soon include baby bottles and bedtime stories.
Naturally, social media couldn’t stay silent on Verstappen’s baby news. Memes of tiny racing helmets and baby-sized F1 suits flooded timelines. One fan tweeted:
“Can we pre-order tickets for Verstappen Jr.’s debut race in 2042?”
Another joked:
“Forget karting—this baby’s first toy will be a mini Red Bull RB20!”
The buzz even sparked debates about whether Verstappen’s baby will break racing records before learning multiplication.
As Verstappen prepares for parenthood, fans are excited to see how he balances his high-speed lifestyle with baby duties. Will he swap track-side tactics for midnight bottle warmings? Only time will tell.
But one thing is clear—whether he’s dominating F1 circuits or singing lullabies, Verstappen’s next chapter promises plenty of excitement.
While Helmut Marko’s comments about Verstappen’s baby inheriting world-champion genes were made in jest, it’s hard to ignore the potential in this racing family’s DNA. Whether Verstappen’s child follows in his footsteps or takes another path, the journey is bound to be thrilling.
For now, fans can sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride—because Verstappen’s story just shifted into another gear!
