Verstappen on slowing down as a parent: 'Don't listen to silly things'

Max Verstappen has shut down the idea that he could become slower after becoming a father, stating that he doesn't "really listen to these kind of silly things".

Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet welcomed daughter Lily into the world on Thursday. The four-time World Champion missed media duties on that day, but was back behind the wheel of his RB21 on Friday for the practice session.

The sprint race on Saturday didn't go to plan for the Dutchman, as he received a ten-second penalty for an unsafe release in the pitlane and clattering into the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli as a result. He ultimately finished in 17th position.

However, Verstappen turned up the wick later in the day during qualifying, placing his Red Bull on pole with a blisteringly fast lap, 0.065 seconds quicker than McLaren's Lando Norris in second place.

I Don't Even Know Where That Comes From

Verstappen hopes that his breath-taking qualifying performance will have silenced doubters that expected him to lose his magic touch upon becoming a parent.

Championship rival Norris even admitted to hoping that the Dutch driver would become slower in fatherhood, although the Briton congratulated him after claiming pole position.

• Read Also: Norris hoped Verstappen becoming a father 'would slow him down'

Speaking at the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen stated that any notion that he would lose his speed as a father wouldn't affect his mentality.

He said: "I don't really listen to these kind of silly things. I just do my thing.

"I think there are enough racing drivers in the past that have been world champion even after having kids, you know. So honestly, I don't even know where that comes from," added the defending Champion.

Nevertheless, as soon as Verstappen is off the track his newly born child is forefront in his mind.

He added: "It's been good to be able to spend a few days at home before coming here.

"You know, when she's just born, you want to make sure everything is okay.

"Clearly, it didn't make me slower as well, being a dad. So that's a positive. We can throw that out of the window as well, for people mentioning it. And yeah, when I was here, honestly, just quite fluent.

"Anyway, I'm in contact a lot with my girlfriend anyway, throughout the day. You know, getting pictures and FaceTime a bit here and there. It's always there, you know. But now, one more member in the family," Verstappen concluded.

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