BREAKING: Max Verstappen Shuts Down Critics: “Being a Dad Clearly D… read more
New father Max Verstappen silences doubts with dominant Miami pole position as he eyes a fifth straight F1 world title.
Max Verstappen delivered the perfect response to critics questioning whether fatherhood would affect his pace by securing pole position at the Miami Grand Prix his first since the birth of his daughter, Lily.
The Red Bull star arrived late to the race weekend after staying home with partner Kelly Piquet, who gave birth earlier in the week. Despite limited preparation, Verstappen produced a blistering lap to edge out McLaren’s Lando Norris and claim the top grid slot for Sunday’s race.
Addressing the media post-qualifying, Verstappen hit back at suggestions that becoming a parent might slow him down.
“Clearly, it didn’t make me slower being a dad, so that’s a positive,” the 27-year-old said. “We can throw that out of the window as well, for people mentioning it.”
He added, “I don’t really listen to these kind of silly things. I just do my thing. There are enough racing drivers who became world champions after having kids. Honestly, I don’t even know where that idea came from.”
Verstappen said the days spent at home were special but confirmed he remained closely connected to his family even while in Miami. “I’m in contact a lot with Kelly, getting pictures and FaceTime calls. Now there’s one more member in the family—it’s amazing.”
Upgrades Pay Off as Red Bull Regains Form
Verstappen’s pole marks his third of the 2025 season and comes after Red Bull introduced a key floor upgrade to the RB21. The Dutchman acknowledged the car felt more comfortable across qualifying.
“Q1, Q2, Q3—we kept chipping away at it and improving,” he said. “The lap wasn’t perfect, especially into Turn 1 where I had a bit of oversteer, but overall I felt more confident in the car.”
The performance sends a clear signal that Verstappen remains laser-focused on a fifth consecutive world championship—even with major changes in his personal life.
He’ll now look to convert pole into a race win on Sunday, where he’ll face stiff competition from McLaren duo Norris and championship leader Oscar Piastri, who currently holds a narrow lead in the standings.
1 Drivers’ Championship Standings (After 5 Rounds):
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 99 pts
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 89 pts
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 87 pts
Don’t miss the Miami Grand Prix main race live on Sky Sports F1 – Sunday at 9pm.
