Max Verstappen revealed his ongoing challenges in spending quality time with his family despite the luxuries available to him. In a recent interview, the Dutch Formula 1 driver expressed how his demanding schedule limits his ability to enjoy simple moments with loved ones. This interview sparked wide reactions among fans across social media platforms.
Known for his close bonds with family, Verstappen treasures his time at home with his daughter Lily, girlfriend, parents, and siblings. His decision to skip the ‘F1‘ movie screening last month in New York, opting instead to return home to be with his newborn daughter, highlighted his commitment to family.
“I feel like I’m already missing out so much on just being with my family. I spend holidays with them, but I really miss the moments of just casually rocking up for a weekend or just hanging out on the couch, sitting together on a lazy day, or just after a normal work day.”
—Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
“We live quite far apart now, so these kinds of moments are not possible with my life. I hope one day that it can go back to that,”
—Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
Formula 1’s Rigorous Schedule and Its Impact on Drivers’ Personal Lives
The Formula 1 calendar consists of 24 races over a 10-month period, alongside pre-season testing, which severely limits drivers’ family time. Despite this, drivers benefit from nearly half the year away from race weekends, including a summer break close to four weeks long. This provides comparatively more downtime than in other professional sports.
For comparison, NASCAR Cup Series drivers face 36 races annually, and many football players recently had just a few weeks off following a packed FIFA Club World Cup. Even with travel demands, the structure of the F1 calendar offers pockets of rest that allow brief returns to family life, though these are often fragmented and far from ideal.
Mixed Fan Reactions to Verstappen’s Remarks on Family Time
Following the release of Verstappen’s interview, social media, especially the microblogging site X, buzzed with reactions ranging from supportive to critical. Some fans questioned the challenges he described, citing his access to a private jet and yacht, which could ease travel logistics and increase family time.
“Bro, you have a private jet and a yacht, and you had two weeks of off racing. Schedule that sh!t”
—Fan on social media
“You literally have 3 months off between seasons and 2-3 weeks break every few weeks of races, while football players barely had a fortnight of holidays,”
—Fan on social media
“Worry about that when you retire Max,”
—Fan on social media
“Retire then its the better you and the sport.”
—Fan on social media
“When at home he’s doing sim racing anyway,”
—Fan on social media
“Enough with this sappy family shit, what kind of central european are you?”
—Fan on social media
Verstappen Looks Ahead to Working with New Red Bull Team Principal
As the Formula 1 season progresses, Verstappen is preparing for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps and the transition within his team’s leadership. Following Christian Horner’s sudden departure as Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies has taken over, marking the first major leadership change for Red Bull since its establishment two decades ago.
Verstappen expressed optimism about collaborating with Mekies after spending time with the team in the simulator at the factory.
“I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team. I’m looking forward to working closely with Laurent.”
—Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
The Significance of Verstappen’s Family Time Concerns and What Lies Ahead
Max Verstappen’s candid remarks highlight an ongoing tension between professional demands and personal life that many elite athletes face. Despite considerable resources and breaks, the intense schedule of Formula 1 continues to challenge drivers’ ability to maintain regular family connections. How Verstappen and others balance these pressures could influence future discussions on managing athlete wellness in the sport.
With a new team principal now in place, Verstappen’s focus may partly shift to adapting within his team environment while continuing to seek ways to nurture family relationships during a strenuous racing calendar.