Max Verstappen Explains Why Baby Lily Won’t Be Around the F1… read more 👇 full details in the comments section
has opened up about how becoming a father has changed his outlook on life, revealing why he wants to keep his daughter, Lily, away from the spotlight of Formula 1 for now.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion welcomed his first child with partner last year. Their daughter, Lily Verstappen-Piquet, recently celebrated her first birthday, with the couple occasionally sharing heartwarming moments from family life on social media. Despite those glimpses, Verstappen remains determined to protect his daughter’s privacy and allow her to grow up away from the pressures that come with being part of one of motorsport’s most famous families.
Speaking in an interview with Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen explained that he does not want to influence Lily’s future too heavily, especially when it comes to sports or racing. According to the Dutch star, children should be free to discover their own passions rather than being pushed toward a specific path by their parents.
Verstappen said the most important thing for his daughter is that she grows up being herself. While he believes introducing children to different activities can be healthy and positive, he does not agree with parents forcing ambitions onto them. He stressed that Lily should eventually decide for herself what she enjoys and what kind of life she wants to live.
The Red Bull driver also spoke about the wider benefits of sport, saying that physical activity helps children stay healthy and gives them structure. In his view, sports can help young people avoid trouble while also teaching important values about discipline and commitment. However, he made it clear that these lessons matter more than turning a child into a professional athlete.
Beyond sports, Verstappen emphasized the importance of kindness, family values, and appreciating loved ones. He explained that people should remember that family members will not always be around forever, making compassion and respect extremely important qualities in life.
Although Lily comes from an incredible racing background, Verstappen has no plans to rush her into the Formula 1 world. Motorsport talent runs deeply through both sides of her family. Verstappen’s own parents were racers, while Kelly Piquet is the daughter of three-time F1 champion . Even with such a famous racing lineage, Verstappen insists that Lily should never feel pressured into following the same route.
He also addressed whether fans should expect to see Lily regularly in the Formula 1 paddock anytime soon. Verstappen admitted he currently prefers to keep her completely away from that environment. One major reason is privacy. He believes young children deserve a carefree upbringing without cameras constantly surrounding them.
The Dutchman explained that Lily is still too young to understand or remember the experience anyway, so he sees little reason to expose her to the intense media attention that comes with Formula 1. For Verstappen, protecting her normal childhood is far more important than public appearances at race weekends.
Another reason behind his decision is the amount of time he already spends away from home. Formula 1’s demanding schedule takes drivers across the world for most of the year, and Verstappen also competes in racing activities outside F1. Because of that, he now prioritizes returning home as quickly as possible after races to spend valuable time with his family.
Fatherhood appears to have given Verstappen a fresh perspective beyond racing success and championship battles. While he remains fiercely competitive on track, away from Formula 1 he is focused on creating a stable and private environment for Lily. Rather than introducing her immediately to the glamorous but hectic world of motorsport, Verstappen wants his daughter to enjoy a peaceful childhood and eventually choose her own future when the time comes.