Recently crowned four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen capped off a monumental year at the track with a personal milestone by announcing that his girlfriend Kelly Piquet is pregnant.
The child will be Verstappen’s first, but the 27-year-old has been father to Piquet’s daughter since their relationship began in 2020.
Pique gave birth to Penelope in 2019. and split with the baby’s father Daniil Kvyat – the former F1 driver whom Verstappen replaced at Red Bull Racing – later that year.
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Verstappen and Piquet will welcome a new addition to the family next year.
“Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way,” the pair tweeted on Friday, just hours before Verstappen’s final race weekend of the F1 season.
“We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.”
Pique separately said he “can’t describe how happy they are” and, after both hinted at fertility challenges, shared a message with others.
“I understand how these messages can be challenging for those longing for a child,” she wrote.
“While such news is often a joyous occasion, it can also evoke feelings of sadness, frustration or longing in those struggling with it. If that’s you, I’m sending all my love, deepest hugs and magic your way.”
The couple’s pregnancy announcement came less than two weeks after Verstappen revealed his future with an eloquent message about returning to his family.
“There are so many things I want to do in my life,” he said.
“I’m also just having fun and catching up with my family. Now my dad or mom will call and I’m like “I’m busy, I’ll call them later.”
“But I also know there will be a day when they don’t call me anymore, moments like this make me realize it’s not all a race and I want to spend time with them.
“Because from the time I was four years old, my family’s life was dedicated to me and success and trying to get to Formula 1 and at some point that’s enough and then you have to give in and spend more time with them.
“At the end of the day, that’s far more important than all the success here. It’s great and I love it, I love to be competitive, I love to win championships and races, but at some point family comes first and you really have to enjoy those moments.”
Meanwhile, the baby’s racing genes did not go unnoticed.
Verstappen, a legend in his own right, is the son of former F1 driver Joss, while Piquet is the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson.
“Verstappen-Piquet, all the other karting kids can pack their bags.” Congratulations to you both,” wrote Dutch former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde.
F1 race winner David Coulthard said: “Here comes the next 10-time world champion.”
Verstappen’s sister Victoria, who herself has three children, said: “I can’t wait!”
Other contestants also rushed in to celebrate.
“Congrats guys!” Albert Costa Balboa wrote.
“Congratulations to both of you again!” NASCAR’s Daniel Suarez said.
The news changed the mood around Verstappen after the row escalated ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi finale.
Last week, Verstappen said he had “lost all respect” for Mercedes rival George Russell after a near miss in qualifying.
In turn, Russell on Thursday accused Verstappen of harassment and threatening behavior.
“I’ve known Max for 12 years, I’ve respected him all that time, but now I’ve lost respect for him because we all fight on the track and it’s never personal,” said Russell ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
“Now he has made it personal and someone has to stand up to a bully like that. And so far, people let him get away with murder.
Russell claimed Verstappen threatened to “deliberately crash” into him on Saturday.
“To me, that’s unacceptable and he’s crossed the line here and I’m not going to accept it. So somebody has to stand up to a guy like that before it gets out of hand,” Russell added.
Russell also criticized Verstappen’s treatment of other drivers on the track, highlighting incidents such as the Dutchman’s tactics against Lando Norris at this year’s Mexican Grand Prix, for which the champion received two penalties, and while battling Lewis Hamilton in the past.
“Whenever something doesn’t go his way, he lashes out with unnecessary anger and borderline violence,” Russell said.
“This is not someone I respect and would like to be a better role model for.”
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen said he stood by his previous comments and accused Russell of lying to ensure he received a penalty last week.
“I’m not sorry at all because I meant everything I said and it’s still the same. If I had it to do over again, maybe I would say even more,” said Verstappen.
“I just never expected someone to actually try and actively make someone suffer such a bad punishment and lie about why I do what I do. But it obviously had an impact on (the stewards).
“It was just really not nice and actually quite shocking what was going on.”
– with AAP
