Max Verstappen's Fame Fatigue: "Just Want to Walk Around Unknown" as Baby Arrival Looms

By Lewis Barnett 2 May, 2025 6 mins read 45 Views

God. The irony of being a four-time world champion who just wants to be a nobody. That's Max Verstappen's reality right now, and honestly? I get it. Fame looks shiny from the outside until you're the one who can't grab coffee without someone asking for a selfie.

Verstappen, now 27, skipped media day before the Miami Grand Prix because his girlfriend Kelly Piquet is about to pop with their first child. Her due date is May 6th—just two days after the Florida race. Talk about timing. My cousin had her baby two weeks early last year and the family was in absolute chaos trying to reorganize everything.

I've been following Max since his early days, and this is definitely a new chapter for him.

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The Orange Army and Their Goosebump-Inducing Support

In this new Viaplay documentary that drops May 2nd (which I'm absolutely setting a calendar reminder for), Max opens up about his relationship with fame. "It's not fun to be famous, I prefer to be unknown," he admits with that characteristic Dutch bluntness. "But I know that's part of F1 especially when you do well."

What he really wants? Just to walk around with family and friends without being recognized. Simple human stuff.

The documentary marks his tenth year in Formula 1. A decade! Remember when he was just that teenage phenom everyone was skeptical about? Now he's pulling in £52 million a year and has a rabid fan base that follows him globally.

Speaking of his Orange Army—those Dutch fans who turn grandstands into seas of orange—Max actually loves them. "For such a small country to still have so many fans and to see them still travelling all over teh world is really, really nice," he says.

Wait... Is He Taking a Year Off?

Here's where things get juicy. An unnamed F1 driver (and don't we all wish we knew who) has suggested Verstappen might take a year off from the sport. With a newborn at home and all the drama with Red Bull this season, would anyone blame him?

Listen. The guy's been racing since he was a literal child. I spoke with a former karting competitor of his back in 2019 who said Max never really had a normal childhood. Maybe becoming a dad is making him rethink everything.

Red Bull insists he'll fulfill his racing duties this weekend, though his private jet was spotted leaving Nice on Thursday morning. I'm picturing him frantically checking his phone between practice laps.

The Blended Family Nobody Talks About

Something that doesn't get enough attention is how Max has apparently formed a close bond with Kelly's daughter Penelope from her previous relationship with...wait for it...former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. You know, the guy Verstappen REPLACED at Red Bull in 2016. Talk about awkward family gatherings! (Though I've heard through the paddock grapevine that they're all surprisingly mature about it.)

The F1 world is smaller than my apartment in 2012.

Championship Pressure Cooker

Currently sitting third in the championship standings, Max is 12 points behind leader Oscar Piastri and just 2 points behind Lando Norris. Both McLaren drivers ahead of him—that's gotta sting for someone who's dominated the last few seasons.

Verstappen won at Miami in 2022 and 2023, but last year the circuit also gave Norris his first ever Grand Prix win. The battle between them this weekend should be fascinating, assuming Max's mind isn't completely elsewhere.

Becoming a father changes people. I've watched three friends transform from party animals to guys who show me 47 nearly identical baby photos and talk about sleep schedules. Will we see a different Max after the baby arrives?

Only time will tell.

And honestly, if he does take that rumored year off? After winning four championships and dealing with the circus that is Formula 1 for a decade... who could blame him?

Frequently Asked Questions

How has Formula 1's DRS system improved overtaking ability?

The Drag Reduction System (DRS) in Formula 1 is designed to improve overtaking by reducing aerodynamic drag. The system allows the rear flap to open in certain conditions. This is usually when a car's distance from the vehicle ahead is less than a second. This action decreases downforce temporarily, increasing speed and facilitating passing maneuvers. DRS helps to overcome the challenge of aerodynamic turbulence from the lead car, which can make overtaking difficult.

How important is aerodynamics in Formula 1?

In Formula 1, aerodynamics play a crucial role in the performance and handling. The cars are designed to generate downforce through wings and bodywork, which presses them onto the track, improving grip and allowing for higher cornering speeds. For optimum straight-line speeds, factors such as drag reduction play a crucial role. Aerodynamic efficiency requires balancing drag and downforce, which leads to complex designs.

What's the purpose of the new Formula 1 halo?

The halo system is a safety measure introduced in Formula 1 that protects the driver's brain from debris and impact. The halo is a titanium device that sits over the cockpit. It can withstand significant forces and has been credited for saving lives and preventing injuries since its introduction. The halo is now an integral part of the modern Formula 1 car, showing how serious Formula 1 is about driver safety.

What is the importance of hybrid technology for Formula 1 engines

Energy Recovery System (ERS) is a hybrid system that improves performance and engine efficiency. ERS stores energy that is normally lost when braking or dissipating heat. It allows drivers additional power from both a Heat Energy Recovery System (HERS) and Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). This can be used to assist in overtaking maneuvers as well as defending track positions.

How do the Formula 1 rules influence car design technology?

The Formula 1 regulations or rules set forth by the FIA has a significant impact on vehicle design and technology. These regulations define parameters such as dimensions of the vehicle, engine specifications and aerodynamics, safety features, etc. To stay competitive, teams must innovate constantly within these limitations. The sport's rules evolve to support closer racing, safer advancements and sustainability goals.

What improvements have been made to tire technology for Formula 1 in recent years?

Formula 1 tire design has changed significantly. New developments have focused on compound, construction, as well as performance. Tire compounds are designed to meet different track conditions. They also take into account the temperature and strategy of each race. Tires have been improved in construction to increase strength, durability and lateral grip. Also, new tread patterns, contact surfaces, and other improvements are aimed to optimize the performance of tires across the race course, while balancing wear and degradation.

Statistics

A Formula 1 steering wheel is one of the most complex components of the car, costing up to $50,000 to produce.
Formula 1's research into sustainable fuel aims to create a 100% sustainable fuel for use in F1 engines by the mid-2020s.
A typical Formula 1 car's brake discs can reach temperatures of over 1,000 degrees Celsius during heavy braking.
Formula 1 engines can rev up to 15,000 RPM, a decrease from the 18,000 RPM limit set prior to the 2014 regulation changes.
Formula 1 tires lose weight during a race due to wear and degradation, with up to 0.5 kg shed from each tire.
In 2021, Formula 1 announced its plan to have a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030, which includes the cars, on-track activities, and the rest of the operations.
Since the hybrid power units were introduced in 2014, thermal efficiency has increased from around 29% to surpass 50%, a remarkable figure compared to standard road car engines.
The energy recovery system (ERS) in modern Formula 1 cars can provide up to 161 horsepower of additional power for approximately 33 seconds per lap.

External Links

How To

How to Appreciate the Engineering Behind F1 Power Units

Appreciating the engineering of a Formula 1 power unit involves understanding its components: the internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger, MGU-K, MGU-H, and the energy store. The ICE is a highly efficient hybrid engine designed for performance and energy recovery. Learn how these components work together to create power, and how energy-recovery systems can increase efficiency. Learn about the current regulations governing power unit design to better understand the innovative engineering in Formula 1.

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