Verstappen receives 'dangerous' fatherhood insight

Former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi has delivered insight to Max Verstappen on what becoming a father can do in regard to approaching motorsport. 

The Brazilian – who competed for Virgin Racing in 2010 – became a father back in 2018, with Verstappen set to also become a dad later this year. 

In a recent episode of the RacingNews365 Podcast, the Dutchman becoming a father was discussed with nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.

Kristensen believes the Red Bull driver's attitude to motorsport will shift, whilst Di Grassi revealed that his approach did change when he too became a parent. 

Di Grassi is a three-time Le Mans podium finisher but has not competed in endurance racing since the end of 2016, with him no longer doing races he deems as "dangerous" due to having a family to consider. 

Verstappen has often discussed competing in endurance racing when he quits F1, with most expecting the four-time world champion to eventually make his Le Mans debut.

In Di Grassi's case, he revealed that becoming a father did not change how he felt inside a race car, only when he is outside of the cockpit. 

Should Verstappen's behaviour in the cockpit change after he becomes a father and his pace decreases, then the Season 3 Formula E champion views it as a concern. 

When asked in an exclusive RacingNews365 interview if becoming a father changed his approach to motorsport, Di Grassi answered: "Inside the car never.

"Outside of the car I think I wouldn't do certain races I would have done in the past. 

For example, I would never go to dangerous races that I think is too dangerous for me to do, unless there is an incredible opportunity. Before [I became a father it] was just me, so it really didn't matter.

"I would say that if it changes your behaviour inside the car, cautiously, it's definitely not good, so it will be damaging for your performance."