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Marko points to racing genes in Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's baby

Marko convinced: 'Boy or girl, baby Verstappen and Piquet has good genes'

Today at 11:30
Last update at 11:55
  • Nicole Mulder

Even before the baby is born, there's already been a lot of speculation about Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's upcoming child. Should little Verstappen have racing ambitions, they will do okay based on their genes alone, at least according to Red Bull Racing advisor, Helmut Marko.

Marko: 'With Verstappen-Piquet genes, there must be potential'

Verstappen made it clear earlier that he actually hopes his child does not have the ambition to become a Formula 1 driver but will support him or her in that if they do. With genes from both Verstappen and Nelson Piquet adding up to seven world titles, Marko believes the potential is there.

Asked if he is already keeping an eye on little Verstappen in advance as Head of the Red Bull Junior Team development program, Marko laughs. "That's a bit far-fetched," he says in conversation with Kleine Zeitung. "But if the grandfather is a three-time world champion and the father a four-time, there must be some potential in terms of genes. We don't know yet whether it will be a boy or a girl, which ultimately doesn't matter. Fast women are just as desirable."

Soon after the good news was revealed, there was speculation about the future of Verstappen, who has repeatedly stated he does not want to drive in F1 until he is 40. However, rumours of an early retirement due to the birth of his first child were immediately squashed.

This article was written with the collaboration of Norberto Mujica

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