Motorsport
Elite F1 genes combine as Verstappen and Piquet announce pregnancy
As news breaks that Max Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet are expecting a child, it is hard not to wonder if their offspring will go on to race in F1 as a third-generation talent - on both its mother and father's side.
If a baby was ever genetically designed to win races, this child is surely it.
Let's take a look at the F1 pedigree that baby Verstappen will be born with as it comes into a family that is collectively able to boast seven World Championship titles.
Jos Verstappen - paternal grandfather
Despite limited on track success, Jos Verstappen is nevertheless an important figure in Formula 1 - more as a mentor to his son, Max.
Known as 'Jos the Boss', he competed in F1 from 1994 to 2003, driving for teams like Benetton, Tyrrell, and Arrows. While his career did not yield race wins, he earned two podium finishes and was renowned for his aggressive driving and technical knowledge.
His peak came as Michael Schumacher's Benetton teammate, where he was part of the team which secured a Constructors’ Championship in 1995.
Jos’s influence on Max’s career is immeasurable, having personally overseen his karting career with an intensity that’s been both praised and critiqued.
Nelson Piquet - maternal grandfather
Nelson Piquet is one of Formula 1’s great drivers, a three-time World Champion (1981, 1983, 1987) whose career spanned over a decade.
The Brazilian combined raw talent with strategic race craft, earning him victories with teams like Brabham, Williams, and Benetton.
Piquet’s flamboyant personality and candid remarks made him a colourful figure on and off the track, but his engineering prowess also set him apart.
As much as he was famous for his work in helping to develop turbocharged engines and advanced aerodynamics, he is also remembered for incidents of fistfights and fury.
During the 1982 German Grand Prix, after being taken out by Eliseo Salazar he let loose with a flurry of punches on the Chilean driver despite the fact that he was wearing a crash helmet.
Max Verstappen - father
Max Verstappen is already a legend in Formula 1, despite being only in his mid-20s.
The Dutchman has rewritten the record books as the youngest driver to start a Grand Prix (at 17) and as one of the youngest World Champions, claiming his first title in 2021 after an intense battle with Lewis Hamilton.
Known for his bold overtakes, mental fortitude, and blistering pace, Max has continued to dominate the sport, securing multiple championships with Red Bull Racing.
His racing style reflects the influence of both his father’s aggressive driving and his own ability to stay composed under pressure.
Nelson Piquet Jr. - uncle
Nelson Piquet Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, making a name for himself in motorsport with an unconventional and diverse career. Though his F1 stint with Renault is often overshadowed by his involvement in the "Crashgate" scandal, where he admitted to deliberately crashing to influence race outcomes, Piquet Jr. rebounded strongly in other series.
He became the first-ever Formula E World Champion in 2014-15 and has also competed in NASCAR and other racing disciplines.
