Max Verstappen may be locked in a fiery media battle with George Russell over driving standards in Abu Dhabi, but away from the chaos of the paddock, the four-time Formula 1 world champion has dropped a personal bombshell: he’s going to be a dad!

For Verstappen fans, this announcement might connect a few dots. The Red Bull star has hinted in recent months that he doesn’t plan to stick around in F1 forever, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. It’s now clear he wasn’t just talking about his parents or longtime girlfriend—he was planning for a growing family of his own.

Mini Verstappen on the way

The F1 superstar and the Brazilian model shared their joyful news on Instagram, writing, “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️ We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle 💫”. Alongside the caption was a heartwarming photo of Verstappen gently cradling Kelly’s baby bump, which quickly sent fans and the motorsport world into a frenzy.

Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet’s romance first went public in early 2021 when the then two-time F1 champion posted a New Year’s Eve photo from Dubai confirming their relationship. Since then, the couple has been a staple in the F1 paddock, with Kelly frequently seen cheering Max on at races. Her daughter, Penelope—affectionately nicknamed “P”—from her previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, has also become a fan favorite. The little girl is often spotted playfully interacting with Verstappen during his sim-racing streams and celebrating with him at races. Now, with a new addition on the way, the Verstappen-Piquet family is bound to grow even more adorable.

Fans and racing drivers react

The news sparked an outpouring of excitement across social media, with fans and racing insiders alike chiming in with their thoughts. Verstappen’s sister, Victoria, shared her excitement, saying she “can’t wait” for the newest member of their family. Former F1 driver David Coulthard humorously predicted, “Here comes the next 10x World Champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆.” Even Max’s mother, Sophie Kumpen, weighed in, saying she was thrilled to welcome another little one into the family fold.

Fans were equally enthusiastic. Many joked about the future of the Verstappen-Piquet legacy, with one comment reading, “Mini Max is coming—Project Verstappen starts now!” Another remarked that “all the other kids in karting might as well pack their bags.” Giedo van der Garde, another former F1 driver, shared a similar sentiment, humorously hinting at the racing potential of this next-generation Verstappen-Piquet combo.

Kelly’s father, Nelson Piquet, is himself a three-time F1 champion, and with Max’s four world titles, fans couldn’t resist speculating about the motorsport royalty lineage this child is inheriting. Whether this “Mini Verstappen” will embrace racing like their parents remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world is already eagerly anticipating what’s next for this growing family.