Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, is navigating a new kind of race in 2025: fatherhood. The Red Bull Racing star and his partner, Kelly Piquet, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lily, just before the Miami Grand Prix in early May. Despite the whirlwind of parenting duties, Verstappen has proven he can handle sleepless nights and high-speed laps with equal finesse, earning praise from fans and peers alike for his seamless transition into dad life.
In a candid interview with Viaplay, Verstappen shared a glimpse into his new role, revealing that his home has become “a zoo” with the addition of Lily. “The cats and the dog find it all interesting,” he laughed, noting that he’s had to keep the curious pets from jumping into the stroller. When asked about tackling parenting tasks like changing diapers, the 27-year-old Dutchman quipped, “Kelly had it all under control—it all went well.” He even poked fun at his post-baby lifestyle, joking about gaining a bit of “pregnancy weight” while nibbling on a rusk. “I’m at the limit with my weight,” he said with a grin, proving his humor remains as sharp as his driving.
Verstappen’s experience as a “bonus dad” to Piquet’s five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, has given him a head start. “I’m kind of like a bonus dad already,” he told ESPN. “I saw her grow up since she was one, and for sure, that helps a lot to prepare for your own child.” This prior experience has made the transition to fatherhood less daunting, with Verstappen confidently managing the chaos of a newborn while jetting across the globe for the F1 season.
Despite speculation that fatherhood might slow him down, Verstappen has dismissed the notion with his trademark focus. After securing pole position at the Miami Grand Prix just days after Lily’s birth, he addressed the motorsport myth that parenting dulls a driver’s edge. “Clearly, it didn’t make me slower being a dad, so that’s a positive,” he said at a post-qualifying press conference. “I don’t know where this has even come from.” His blistering pace—beating McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.065 seconds in qualifying—proved that fatherhood hasn’t dulled his competitive fire.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner echoed this sentiment, praising Verstappen’s ability to compartmentalize. “His ability to focus and just deliver is insane,” Horner told Sky Sports F1, noting that Verstappen’s new role as a father only adds to his remarkable presence. “He’s going to be a very present father, I’m sure,” Horner added, humorously advising the champion to “get involved with the nappies, in the middle of the night, all of that.”
Verstappen’s commitment to family was evident when he skipped media day in Miami to be with Piquet and Lily in Monaco, a decision that earned widespread admiration. “Max’s baby being born on media day so he can skip it is the most Verstappen thing that kid could’ve done,” one fan quipped on social media. Lewis Hamilton, a long-time rival, offered heartfelt congratulations, saying, “I spoke to him in Saudi and saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.”
Beyond the track, Verstappen remains grounded, crediting his racing family background for easing him into fatherhood. With his mother, Sophie Kumpen, a former karting star, and father, Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver, Max understands the balance of racing and family life. “It’s all very natural,” he told The Athletic, noting that Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, also shares this perspective.
As for the future, Verstappen is already looking ahead with optimism. When asked about balancing his love for sim racing with parenting, he said, “I think that will work out. Who knows, maybe in the future we can do it together.” With Lily inheriting the genes of two racing dynasties, Horner couldn’t resist joking, “If it was a racehorse, it’d be worth a fortune!”
As Verstappen continues his pursuit of a fifth world title, his ability to juggle fatherhood and Formula 1 dominance showcases a new side of the champion. From diapers to podiums, Max Verstappen is proving he’s a master of every challenge—on and off the track.
