toasted the delivery of child Lily on Thursday to – as quickly because the four-time world champion introduced the being pregnant there was hypothesis as as to whether he could be the identical, fearless driver. Nevertheless, he won’t be the primary F1 racer to be aiming for title glory as a dad.
Right here, Motorsport.com takes a have a look at among the earlier champions who’ve claimed titles on observe whereas juggling fatherhood off it.
Graham Hill
When he took victory on the 1962 South African Grand Prix to assert his first F1 world championship, Graham Hill already had two kids with spouse Bette.
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Brigitte was the eldest, with son Damon (extra on him later) having simply turned two when his dad took the crown. Samantha adopted, as did a second world title win in 1968 with Group Lotus.
Hill tragically didn’t get to take pleasure in his kids rising up after he was killed in a airplane crash in 1975.
Nelson Piquet
Brazilian Nelson Piquet had already gained two F1 titles – in 1981 and 1983 – earlier than he grew to become a father.
Nelson Piquet, Brabham BT52B BMW, punches the air on the end
Nelson Piquet, Brabham BT52B BMW, punches the air on the finishMotorsport Photographs
Motorsport Photographs
He then welcomed Geraldo and Nelson Piquet Jnr earlier than he accomplished his hat-trick of drivers’ championships in 1987, regardless of successful simply three races that season.
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Nelson Jnr would find yourself driving in F1 himself, whereas his dad would go on to have 4 extra kids – together with Kelly – who’s Verstappen’s girlfriend and mom of his new child daughter Lily.
Nigel Mansell
Mansell was pipped to the 1985 title by Piquet, however claimed his one and solely championship seven years later.
By the point the Briton had reached the head of F1, he already had daughter Chloe and two sons – Leo and Greg, who themselves would go on to have motor racing careers.
Mansell retired on the finish of his title-winning marketing campaign however returned in 1994 with and raced twice for the next 12 months.
Damon Hill
Bear in mind his dad, Graham? Properly, Damon adopted in his father’s footsteps by successful the F1 title.
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Having twice completed second to in 1994 and 1995, Hill lastly reached the highest by taking the championship with Williams in 1996.
Oliver, Josh and Tabitha had already arrived earlier than Hill’s glory, whereas Rosie adopted in 1998 – simply six months earlier than Hill’s ultimate F1 victory got here for Jordan on the Belgian Grand Prix.
Michael Schumacher
The German had obtained the higher of Hill whereas driving for Benetton, a two-time world champion himself earlier than changing into a father.
Michael Schumacher, Ferrari 248F1, 1st place, and Jean Todt, podium
Michael Schumacher, Ferrari 248F1, 1st place, and Jean Todt, podiumLorenzo Bellanca / Motorsport Photographs
Lorenzo Bellanca / Motorsport Photographs
Gina-Maria was born first earlier than future F1 driver Mick adopted in 1999, simply earlier than Schumacher hit his dominant interval and took 5 successive world championship titles between 2000 and 2005.
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He retired in 2006 however returned to F1 in 2010 and spent three seasons at – Schumacher then suffered a critical damage in a snowboarding accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since.
Nico Rosberg
Rosberg was the son of 1982 F1 champion Keke Rosberg however was not born till 1985, so Keke fails to make the checklist.
Nevertheless, Rosberg welcomed his first youngster, Naila, in 2013 and Alaïa adopted only a 12 months earlier than he wrestled the title from Mercedes team-mate .
He would retire on the finish of the 2016 marketing campaign and has since gone on to work for Sky Sports activities F1 as a pundit.
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