F1 LIVE: Max Verstappen issues Lando Norris ‘slagging off’ response as driver faces sack

has revealed he is prepared to miss the birth of his first child if it falls on a Grand Prix race weekend.

The Dutchman, 27, is set to welcome a baby girl with his partner, Kelly Piquet, with the due date estimated to be sometime in mid-March.

That would clash with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, but Verstappen has explained his view on why he wouldn’t jump out of the car just to be in the delivery room.

“It’s possible, but I won’t do it,” Verstappen told Algemeen Dagblad. “This is just part of being a Formula 1 driver. If it happens, it happens. I can’t do anything about it.

“Unfortunately, Formula 1 drivers don’t get free time like that, but at the same time, I’m not the one who gives birth. Or maybe I will be suspended because I have too many penalty points for swearing [laughs].”

has admitted he doesn’t expect Williams to be challenging for podiums this season as the team undergo a ‘transitional year’ before the new engine regulations arrive in 2026.

The Spaniard joined from having won twice last season, but the 30-year-old is being realistic with his expectations with the Wantage-based team. Asked if Williams could fight for a podium, Sainz said: “It would be a surprise, yeah.

“I think you guys have seen and heard us already talk about this year and we’ve talked about a bit of a transition year, a preparation year to get ready for the opportunities that 2026 might bring, to bridge that gap from the midfield where Williams was last year to the top four teams.

“Even though that gap is smaller than ever because you could see in qualifying at times last year there were no more than three or four tenths among the top teams and the midfield teams, those three or four tenths are very difficult to find in this budget gap, very constrained regulations era.

“So I think it’s going to be a challenge to even get into I think top 10 positions with the competition there was last year in this part of the field.”

has discussed the possibility of winning on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix next month.

The Brit’s late career switch to the Scuderia will show exactly what he still has left in the tank against a young and hungry team-mate in Charles Leclerc.

Fernando Alonso managed to stand atop the podium on his first outing for in 2010. And fellow modern-day F1 legend Sebastian Vettel also got off to a flyer, winning only his second race with the Italian team five years later.

Asked he could follow in their foosteps, the 40-year-old said: “What I know is that the testing is more limited than ever before but, fortunately, I’ve had a good bit of time in the car.

“I am still acclimatising. It took me six months, I think, in to get my first win. Honestly, I don’t know, but I’m doing everything I can to be ready for race one.”

rookie Kimi Antonelli has refused to give himself a target for the 2025 season as he looks to navigate a tough first season in F1.

The 18-year-old replaced for the Silver Arrows in January. But instead of trying to place markers for his performance this year, the Italian is only focused on matching the ‘super competitive’ level of his fellow drivers.

“I don’t really have a lot of expectations, to be honest. What I’m really going to do is trying to focus on the process, try to enjoy as well,” Antonelli said.

“But definitely something I really want to do is start with a good rhythm and try to build from it and try to be consistent. Of course, the mindset is always going to be the same, so trying to go on track and win and do the best job as possible.

“But you have to be realistic at the same time, because [the] level is super competitive.”

has requested changes to be made to his car ahead of the three days of testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.

A report published by Italian publication Auto Racer claimed that Hamilton has asked for ‘small details’ to be changed ahead of the start of F1’s official three-day test after jumping into the car at their test track in Fiorano.

The seven-time World Champion’s requests are described as ‘relatively minor’ with no ‘strong differences’ between the settings used by Hamilton and Leclerc.

According to unofficial reports from the test, Hamilton’s fastest lap time with the SF-25 was around 0.8 seconds slower than Leclerc, although it is said that the drivers were carrying out different programs.

Both drivers are understood to have provided positive initial feedback on the 2025 car, which is rumoured to be 0.4 seconds faster than ’s 2024 version.

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has warned Jack Doohan he is already living on ‘borrowed time’ as Alpine could axe him after just five races.

The Australian, 22, only made his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024 but is facing pressure to keep his seat after Alpine signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.

And Herbert believes that is an ominous sign for the young Aussie.

“I think Jack Doohan will believe he’s on borrowed time already, when I’m speaking to people, they feel exactly the same thing,” Herbert told Casinoutanspelpaus.

“Doohan has got to deliver, and if he doesn’t deliver against , I know Flavio Briatore very well, Doohan will be out.

“He’ll be out as quick as he blinks. So pressure’s on his shoulders now for him to perform.”

has told his rival not to beat himself up as the star prepares for another title challenge.

Norris had ample chances to close the gap on Verstappen in 2024 but ultimately failed to prevent the star from winning his fourth world title.

But the Dutchman sought to motivate Norris by telling him to “stay positive”: “You have to stay positive about yourself, you shouldn’t start slagging yourself off,” he said.

On ‘s threat, the 27-year-old added: “Sure, they were very strong after the first seven races. And if they know what they’re doing, they should have a very strong season again.”

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s coverage of the latest F1 news and rumours from around the paddock.

Join us as we look ahead to the three days of testing in Bahrain later this week.