Verstappen's Mother-in-Law Claps Back at Damon Hill; F1 Academy Adds Races

Max Verstappen's mother-in-law, Sylvia Tamsma, publicly criticized former F1 champion Damon Hill for his recent comments targeting the Dutch driver. Meanwhile, the F1 Academy and Formula 2 calendars have been adjusted, adding extra races in North America to compensate for cancellations earlier in the season.

Why it matters:

The public rebuke from a family member highlights the intense, personal nature of criticism often directed at top drivers like Verstappen, even on non-sporting matters. Separately, the calendar changes ensure crucial track time for junior series drivers, maintaining the integrity of their championships despite geopolitical disruptions affecting the initial schedule.

The details:

• Social Media Spat: On Instagram, Sylvia Tamsma, mother of Verstappen's partner Kelly Piquet, responded to Damon Hill's latest critiques of Verstappen's views on the 2026 regulations and hints at retirement.
• The Retort: Tamsma questioned Hill's focus on Verstappen, stating, "Seems you're too old to understand that it is not only Max, but that all the drivers are complaining. Singling out Max is quite nasty, don't you think?"
• Calendar Reshuffle: Following the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian round due to regional tensions, the all-female F1 Academy series has added a third race to its weekends at the Canadian and United States Grands Prix.
  • This new "Opening Race" will use each driver's second-fastest qualifying time, adding strategy to the single qualifying session.
• Formula 2 Follows Suit: The Formula 2 championship is also set to add replacement rounds, with Miami and Canada expected to host extra race weekends to fill its schedule gaps.

What's next:

The verbal exchange is unlikely to affect Verstappen's on-track performance but underscores the persistent scrutiny he faces. For the junior categories, the revised North American-heavy schedule provides stability and more racing opportunities, which is vital for driver development and series momentum as they head into the European season.