In the paddock of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the four-time world champion is asked if the sport has become less important to him now that he is a father. “No,” is his short but powerful answer in the presence of GPblog.

When asked if fatherhood has nothing to do with his motivation or experience of the sport, he again answers shortly but clearly: “No, that's separate from Formula 1. What I do in Formula 1 does not affect how I feel privately.”

Verstappen does not talk much about his private life, which he prefers to keep as separate as possible from his racing career. Although the Dutchman is extremely reticent about his family situation, it became clear in early May that he and Kelly Piquet have had a daughter named Lily, giving Kelly’s daughter Penelope a sister. Lily's birth date was never officially announced, but seemed to be accidentally revealed through a special gift from the Automobile Club de Monaco.

In Barcelona, Verstappen resumes his chase for the world title, facing competition mainly from McLaren. A week earlier in Monaco, it was not Oscar Piastri but Lando Norris who took the victory. An ideal scenario for Verstappen, given the circumstances: as long as the McLaren drivers continue to take points from each other, the Red Bull driver can stay close despite an inferior F1 car.