MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Reigning four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen is expecting a baby with his partner Kelly Piquet. He is scheduled to arrive in South Florida on Friday, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix race weekend.
Red Bull released a statement about Verstappen’s absence from Thursday’s media day: “Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby. All is well and he will attend track (May 2) for the race weekend. We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family.”
The Miami Grand Prix begins at 4 p.m. ET Sunday at Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL Miami Dolphins. The weekend kicks off Thursday with media day. Friday there is a qualifier for a Saturday sprint race.
Verstappen has won the last four F1 driver championships, and with 87 points he sits third in the 2025 standings after the first five F1 races, behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (99) and Lando Norris (89).
So far this season, Verstappen placed second in Australia, fourth in China, won in Japan, was sixth in Bahrain and second in Saudi Arabia.
Verstappen won the first two Miami Grand Prix races in 2022 and 2023, and he finished second last year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Max Verstappen expecting baby, misses F1 Miami Grand Prix media day
