MIAMI: Four times Formula One world champion Max Verstappen was withdrawn from scheduled media commitments at the Miami Grand Prix on Thursday as the Red Bull driver awaited the birth of his first child.
The 27-year-old’s partner is Kelly Piquet, daughter of Brazil’s triple world champion Nelson, who already has a daughter from a previous relationship with Russian former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
A team spokesman said all was well and Verstappen “will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend.”
Friday has a sole practice session ahead of sprint qualifying, with a 100km sprint race followed by regular qualifying on Saturday before Sunday’s race around the Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dutch driver is third overall after five races, 12 points behind McLaren’s Australian championship leader Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen awaits birth of first child, misses Miami media day
https://arab.news/bzm78
Verstappen awaits birth of first child, misses Miami media day
- The 27-year-old’s partner is Kelly Piquet
- The Dutch driver is third overall after five races
Hegerberg double sees Lyon past Wolfsburg in Champions League
- Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot
PARIS: Lyon and Chelsea maintained their form in a bid for direct qualification for the quarter-finals of the women’s Champions League with dominant victories on Tuesday.
Lyon made it three wins from three with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg, star Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg netting twice in the first half before Wendie Renard claimed a third from the penalty spot.
Dutch forward Lineth Beerensteyn claimed a consolation goal for Wolfsburg.
It seemed to have been set up as a good night all round for French clubs.
But there was heartbreak eight minutes into injury time as Real Madrid, through Caroline Weir, claimed a 1-1 draw with Paris FC, who had opened the scoring with a 41st-minute Lorena Azzaro penalty.
Like Lyon, Chelsea remained unbeaten, albeit with one draw in their opening three matches, following a 6-0 thrashing of pointless St. Polten of Austria.
Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring in the 13th minute before a quick-fire Catarina Macario double, including a 53rd penalty.
Sam Kerr, on her first start for Blues since December 2023, then claimed her own brace of goals either side of an own goal by St. Polten defender Lisa Ebert to make it six in a one-sided contest away from home.
In the early game, Valerenga, through Stine Brekken, snatched a 1-0 win over Roma, also without a point after three losses from their opening three games.
