F1 champion Max Verstappen offers verdict on MISSING RACES due to birth of his and Kelly Piquet's child

Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen — Photo: © IMAGO

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Max Verstappen offers verdict on MISSING RACES due to birth of his and Kelly Piquet's child

Verstappen and Piquet are expecting their first child this year

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Tuesday 25 February 2025 21:00

Red Bull star Max Verstappen has revealed whether or not he will miss races this season due to the upcoming birth of his and Kelly Piquet's child.

The four-time Formula 1 champion and his partner revealed that they were expecting a child in 2025 ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi last year, making for an exciting end to the season for the Dutchman.

Now, ahead of the 2025 season, and the birth moving closer, the idea that Verstappen could miss races due to the birth has been floated.

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However, Verstappen is adamant that this will not be the case, fully committing to the 24-race calendar this year.

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“I could of course skip a race, but I won’t,” Max Verstappen told the media ahead of the F1 75 car launch event in London.

Verstappen elaborated on why he would not miss any races, and even delivered a cheeky jibe directed at the FIA’s swearing ban during his reasoning.

“It’s possible, but I won’t do it," Verstappen added separately to Algemeen Dagblad. “This is just part of being a Formula 1 driver. If it happens, it happens. I can’t do anything about it.

“Unfortunately, Formula 1 drivers don’t get free time like that, but at the same time, I’m not the one who gives birth. Or maybe I will be suspended because I have too many penalty points for swearing [laughs]."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Kelly Piquet