Max Verstappen Defies Fatherhood Myths with Miami Pole Position
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — For those who speculated that becoming a father might slow down the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, Saturday’s performance was a clear rebuttal. The Dutchman delivered a stunning pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, proving that fatherhood has not dulled his competitive edge.
Earlier in the day, the Miami circuit, which winds around the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, witnessed a chaotic sprint race. However, Verstappen managed to set things right in the afternoon by clinching pole position, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by a mere 0.065 seconds. This performance was a testament to the four-time world champion’s enduring prowess on the track.
With the possibility of rain looming over Sunday’s grand prix, Verstappen’s exceptional skills in wet conditions could very well lead him to his second victory of the season. Despite the buzz surrounding McLaren this year, Verstappen remains a formidable title contender, and a win on Sunday would solidify his standing.
Verstappen’s pole position also helped dispel a popular narrative circulating this week. The 27-year-old arrived in Miami on Thursday night, missing media day due to the birth of his daughter, Lily, with girlfriend Kelly Piquet. There’s a long-standing belief in motorsport that the arrival of a driver’s first child might cost them a few tenths of a second on the track. Verstappen was quick to dismiss this notion during the post-qualifying news conference.
“Clearly, it didn’t make me slower being a dad, so that’s a positive,” Verstappen said. “So we can throw that out of the window as well, for people mentioning it.”
This idea has been around for a while, with some pointing to a famous quote from Verstappen fan Fernando Alonso in 2005. After a daring move around Michael Schumacher at Suzuka’s 130R corner, Alonso quipped, “I knew he would brake because he has a wife and two kids at home.” However, Alonso has since laughed off the comment, acknowledging that he no longer believes it to be true.
Verstappen added, “I don’t really listen to these kind of silly things, I just do my thing. I think there are enough racing drivers in the past who have been world champions even after having kids. Honestly, I don’t know where this has even come from.”
History supports Verstappen’s point. Lily’s grandfather, Nelson Piquet, is among the drivers who have won a championship after becoming a father. Others include Schumacher, Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, and Nico Rosberg.
Verstappen’s focus remains unwavering. He mentioned receiving pictures and FaceTime calls, but for a driver known for all-night gaming sessions before race wins, it’s no surprise that he remains the same formidable competitor.
Those who thought otherwise might have been engaging in wishful thinking.
Lando Lottery
Shifting gears from the fatherhood narrative, the front row features a familiar face-off: Verstappen vs Norris. This pairing was a common sight in 2024, often leading to thrilling races.
Norris admitted that he was fortunate to win the sprint race earlier in the day, thanks to a timely safety car deployment that propelled him ahead of teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri. A year ago, a similar safety car incident helped Norris secure his maiden F1 victory at the same venue.
“My luck in Miami seems pretty good at the minute, so I’m happy,” Norris said after the sprint. In contrast, Piastri remarked that he wouldn’t be buying a lottery ticket in South Florida anytime soon.
- Norris’ luck in Miami continues to be a talking point.
- Piastri’s misfortune contrasts with Norris’ good fortune.
- Verstappen remains a formidable opponent for Norris.
While Norris might have missed out on pole due to a sluggish Turn 17 in Q3, he can take solace in the fact that his Australian teammate starts fourth. Beating Verstappen will be challenging, but given the narrative around Norris’ recent wobbles, finishing ahead of Piastri is crucial for him this weekend.
Antonelli’s Big Weekend
Another driver making waves this weekend is Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Despite being muscled out of the lead at Turn 1 by Piastri during the sprint race and a pit lane collision with Verstappen, Antonelli bounced back in qualifying, securing an impressive third position.
Antonelli has already made a name for himself in his rookie season, consistently outperforming his teammate George Russell in Miami. This weekend marks the first time Antonelli has been consistently quicker than Russell, who was previously seen as a wildcard title contender.
Antonelli holds several “youngest” records, including being the youngest driver to claim pole for an F1 event. Verstappen, who owns many of the other “youngest” awards, praised the Mercedes sensation, saying, “I’m not surprised. When you just start in Formula 1, there’s so much to learn, and to already be at this pace is very impressive, but I’m not surprised. He’ll only get better, to be honest. I think it’s as simple as that.”
Norris added with a touch of humor, “I think that fed his ego enough!” before acknowledging Antonelli’s talent. “He’s in Formula 1 for a reason. Everything else he did in his car racing career has been very strong. He’s got a very good teammate, a teammate that beat Lewis [Hamilton] over the last couple years, so if he’s now able to beat that teammate — being George [Russell] — then he’s clearly doing a very good job.”
Upon hearing these comments, Antonelli responded with a smile, “Too kind!”
Originally Written by: Nate Saunders
