By Sara Von Kienegger

Did Helmut Marko, the so-called “Doctor of Motorsport,” really say he’s concerned about Max Verstappen’s future? And now we’re hearing whispers of a possible sabbatical?

By the age of 27, Verstappen had already secured four world championships. He claimed his first in 2021—edging out seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in a now-iconic season—and went on to dominate the sport through 2024, winning title after title with unwavering consistency.

For me, Formula 1 isn’t just a sport—it’s part of my upbringing. Growing up in Austria, the sound of burning rubber on asphalt was a familiar soundtrack each spring. When the season started, windows flew open, fresh air filled the farmhouse, and families gathered around the TV. The men watched intently, the women chatted in the background, and the children played. I would sit in the corner and draw—never far from the action, even if quietly so.

I still remember those afternoons vividly: the high-pitched whm whm whm of cars flying by, echoing from the living room.

This weekend, all eyes are on Jeddah—the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia—as F1 fans across the globe tune in to watch the drama unfold once again.

I’ll admit, I reconnected with Formula 1 through the Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive, during my pre-COVID binge-watching days. Marko, who many in my hometown of Graz simply refer to as “the doctor,” leads the Red Bull Driver Development Program and helped shape the careers of both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Unsurprisingly, he’s not exactly a fan of the show.

And perhaps with good reason. Netflix painted Max as the fiery young rival—a polarizing character designed to generate drama and drive viewership. But in doing so, they missed something important. Max Verstappen is one of the most humble, grounded athletes I’ve ever come across. The same could be said of his fiancée, Kelly Piquet—daughter of the legendary Brazilian champion Nelson Piquet.

Kelly is now expecting their first child. Some speculate this might be the reason behind talk of a potential “break year” for Max. Personally, I think it’s just noise.

If anyone can balance fatherhood with being a world champion, it’s Max Verstappen. Assuming he wins again this season—and few would bet against him—there’s no reason to doubt he’ll still be at the top come 2026.