Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has no doubt Max Verstappen will step into fatherhood as easily as he became one of the world's best racing drivers.
Verstappen announced in early December that his partner, Kelly Piquet, was expecting their first child. The four-time F1 champion later declared himself "super-excited" about becoming a dad.
Verstappen said he has at least had "some training" as he has been a step-dad to Piquet's five-year-old daughter, Penelope, for the last four years. Penelope is from her previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
Alongside sister Victoria, Verstappen also has a half-brother, Jason Jaxx, and a half-sister, Blue Jaye.
Asked by RacingNews365 what being a father would do for Verstappen, Horner said: "He's obviously got younger brothers and sisters, and he's got a stepdaughter as well.
"Whenever you see him around kids, he's just very natural, even with my children. He's one of those guys that I think fatherhood will come very naturally to him."
As to whether Verstappen would be forced to cut back on his sim racing exploits to look after a baby, Horner laughed, adding: "Maybe he will want to do more and not have sleepless nights. You never know."
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'That is what defines Max Verstappen'
Verstappen has made no secret of his love of sim racing, driving for Team Redline. He has often been seen online, even across grand prix weekends.
Horne feels it is part of what makes Verstappen "the ultimate racer", someone who "loves racing", because "if he's not racing in the real world, he's racing online".
As to whether he is surprised as to the way Verstappen immerses himself into every facet of racing, Horner said: "It's just who he is.
"What you see is what you get with Max. There are no sides to him. He's just a really nice young man, now to be a father.
"He's got a big heart, a huge passion for the sport, and he drives with passion and conviction.
"Couple that with a sublime amount of talent, that is what defines Max Verstappen."
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