Max Verstappen says that the pole position at the Miami Grand Prix was “clearly” and that fathering showed him not being a slower driver.
The Dutch, seeking a fifth consecutive driver title, ousted McLaren’s Randnori and Mercedes’ Kimi An Tonelli, claiming a second pole position of the season.
Verstappen was exempt from media duties in Miami on Thursday and arrived in the US to stay with his partner Kelly Piquet after the birth of his daughter, Lily, earlier in the week.
In his absence on Thursday, some Verstappen’s rivals were asked by the media if they thought that becoming a father could affect his driving.
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Nico Furkenberg shared some advice to Max Verstappen following news that he would miss Miami Grand Prix Media Day due to the expected birth of his first child.
Verstappen said:
“Obviously, it didn’t slow me down to being a daddy, so that’s positive.
“For those who mention it, we can throw it out the window.
“I’ve been in a lot of contact with my girlfriend throughout the day and get a little photo and faces all over the place. It’s always there, but now I’m another member of the family.”
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New father Max Verstappen will take the Red Bull pole during the Miami Grand Prix qualifying round.
All Verstappen’s rivals answered questions on Thursday, saying they didn’t expect him to be late.
The cohort included Fernando Alonso. He could be seen as popularizing the idea in 2005 when Michael Schumacher said that the seven-time world champion “had his wife and two children at home, so he knew he would bail out of their fight at the Suzuka Corner on the highway.”
Asked to elaborate on his comments on speculation about his speed, Verstappen added:
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Anthony Davidson analyzed Max Verstappen’s pole lap and where he was short on rivals during the qualifying rounds for the Miami Grand Prix.
“I think there are enough racing drivers in the past, even after giving birth to a child, who were world champions.
“To be honest, I don’t even know where it came from.”
Horner: Max’s ability to concentrate is insane
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s “ability to focus” after his 43rd career pole at 27.
Horner told Sky Sports F1:
“But when we see it over and over, when he puts his helmet across that boundary in the garage, everything goes away.
“His focus and delivery ability is insane. That’s really impressive.”
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Highlights from Saturday’s qualifying round from the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome.
Verstappen, who finished outside the sprint point on Saturday after an error in Red Bull Pit Crew, later explained to Sky Sports F1 how he could distinguish between different aspects of his life.
He said: “By not having much emotions in many things.
“Of course, with my baby, it’s something different. I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous in my resting heartbeat.
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Max Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for an unsafe release to Kimi Antonelli’s pass, resulting in both coming together in the pits.
“But Race, I’ve been doing it for a long time, so there’s nothing really scares you anymore.
“What I have already said for a long time is that once you achieve your dreams in the sport, in terms of winning races and titles, that too will make you relax a lot.
“Even when you have a bad day, it really doesn’t matter. It just calms you down. How you fix things, how you proceed from it, and that just calms you down.
Sky Sports F1 Miami GP Schedule
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The Miami Grand Prix is a unique experience. Check out some of our favourite moments from the last few years!
Sunday, May 4th
6pm: F1 Academy Race 27.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Miami GP Build-Up*9pm: Miami Grand Prix*11pm: Checkered Flag: Miami GP Reaction*Midnight: Ted Notebook
* Live at Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 will be in Miami on Sprint weekend. Everything should be live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports Now – No Contract, Cancel Anytime
