Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, has officially entered fatherhood, welcoming his first child, a daughter named Lily, with partner Kelly Piquet. The couple announced the joyous news via a heartfelt post on Instagram on Friday, May 2, 2025, sharing their excitement with fans and followers. "Welcome to the world, sweet Lily 🌸 Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much 💗," they wrote, accompanied by a touching black-and-white photo of Piquet cradling their newborn.
This marks a significant milestone for the 27-year-old Verstappen and the 36-year-old Piquet, who is the daughter of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet. The couple had previously announced their pregnancy on December 6, 2024, with a post that read, "Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle 💫." Piquet also has a five-year-old daughter named Penelope from her previous relationship with Russian F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
In the lead-up to the birth, Verstappen missed Thursday's media activities at the Miami Grand Prix to be with Piquet. Red Bull Racing confirmed that he would not attend the media day, emphasizing the importance of family during this special time. "Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby. All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend," a spokesperson stated.
As Verstappen prepares for the Miami Grand Prix, he is currently third in the standings, having previously won the first two Miami Grand Prix races. His performance this season has been strong, although McLaren has shown an early edge over Red Bull. Verstappen's boss at Red Bull, Christian Horner, expressed confidence in the driver’s ability to balance fatherhood with his racing career. "He's going to be a very present father," Horner predicted, adding, "If it was a racehorse, it would be worth a fortune."
Verstappen's sister, Victoria, and fellow drivers, including Daniel Abt and Robert Doornbos, expressed their excitement and congratulations in the comments on the couple's Instagram post. Abt wrote, "Congratulations 🥰🤍," while Doornbos echoed his sentiments with, "Congrats with your beautiful little princess Lily."
Despite the common myth that becoming a parent may slow down a racing driver, many believe that it can actually enhance their performance. Nico Hülkenberg, another F1 driver, remarked, "I feel once we step in the car — visor down, go out — we’re just so focused and so driven to perform and maximize." Similarly, Lewis Hamilton noted that he could sense Verstappen's eagerness for the arrival of his child during their last conversation at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Verstappen's impressive career achievements include 64 career victories and four consecutive F1 titles. With the addition of Lily to his life, he joins the ranks of other F1 drivers who have embraced fatherhood while maintaining their competitive edge on the track.
The couple's relationship has been the subject of public interest since they went public in January 2021, after reportedly dating since October 2020. Their nearly 10-year age gap has been acknowledged by Verstappen, who has previously stated, "Only time will tell" regarding the future of their relationship.
As Verstappen embarks on this new journey of parenthood, he remains focused on his racing career, with the Miami Grand Prix set to be an exciting event. The race weekend is anticipated to showcase not only the thrilling competition among drivers but also the personal milestones that Verstappen and Piquet are celebrating.
As the F1 community rallies around Verstappen and Piquet, fans are eager to see how this new chapter in their lives will influence the Dutch driver's performance on the track. With the support of his family and the love surrounding him, Verstappen is poised to embrace the challenges and joys of being a first-time father.
In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s journey into fatherhood is a heartwarming story that resonates with many, showcasing the balance between personal and professional life. As he steps onto the track this weekend, all eyes will be on him, not just for his racing prowess but also as he navigates the beautiful chaos of parenthood.
