Max Verstappen Explains Why Baby Lily Won’t Be a Regular in the…read more
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has opened up about fatherhood and revealed why he prefers to keep his daughter, Lily, away from the hectic environment of the F1 paddock.
The Dutch superstar became a father for the first time last year when his partner, Kelly Piquet, gave birth to their daughter, Lily Verstappen-Piquet. Since then, the couple have occasionally shared glimpses of family life on social media, delighting fans with photos and updates as Lily recently celebrated her first birthday.
Despite embracing his new role as a dad, Verstappen admitted that he is cautious about exposing his daughter to the intense atmosphere that surrounds Formula 1 race weekends.
The Red Bull driver explained that while he enjoys spending time with his family whenever possible, the paddock is not always the ideal place for a young child. Between the loud garages, constant travel, crowded hospitality areas, and endless media attention, Verstappen believes the environment can quickly become overwhelming.
According to the reigning champion, race weekends are already mentally demanding, and adding the responsibility of caring for a baby in such conditions would not be comfortable for either him or Lily. He stressed that his priority is ensuring she grows up in a calmer and more relaxed setting away from the spotlight that follows him around the world.
Verstappen also hinted that maintaining privacy is important to both him and Piquet. As one of the most recognizable figures in global motorsport, he is aware that every public appearance involving his family immediately attracts attention from cameras and fans. By limiting Lily’s appearances in the paddock, the couple hope to give her as normal a childhood as possible.
Although Lily may not become a regular visitor at Grands Prix anytime soon, Verstappen admitted that becoming a father has changed parts of his life in a positive way. The 28-year-old described fatherhood as a special experience and said he enjoys spending quiet moments at home whenever his demanding racing schedule allows it.
Friends and rivals within Formula 1 have also noticed a softer side to the usually intense competitor. While Verstappen remains fiercely focused behind the wheel, many around the sport believe becoming a parent has added a new sense of balance to his personal life.
Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, has frequently shared heartfelt family moments online, showing Verstappen enjoying life away from the racetrack. Fans have embraced the couple’s updates, often commenting on how relaxed and happy the Red Bull star appears in his role as a father.
For now, however, Verstappen is determined to keep Lily’s exposure to Formula 1 limited. While the paddock remains his workplace and battleground every race weekend, he wants his daughter’s world to stay far removed from the pressure, noise, and scrutiny that come with being at the center of the sport.