Image: Kelly Piquet/Instagram
It was a week of celebration, both on and off the Formula 1 track, as Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet welcomed a brand-new addition to their family – a baby girl named Lily.
The news broke just ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, sending warm waves through the paddock and beyond. Red Bull had initially announced that Max would miss media duties ahead of the race, citing that he was “expecting a baby.” Naturally, speculation surged, but the couple confirmed what everyone had hoped before the race weekend began: Lily had arrived, safe and sound.
For fans who’ve followed Max Verstappen’s journey from teenage prodigy to triple World Champion, this marked a new kind of milestone – one not measured in points or podiums, but in nappies and midnight feedings.
Kelly Piquet, a model and daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet, had hinted at their growing family ahead of the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Lily now joins the family as a younger sister to Kelly’s daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship. And just like that, Verstappen’s world expanded from high-speed circuits to baby giggles and lullabies.
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The paddock responded with genuine warmth. When asked about Verstappen’s big life change, fellow dad and F1 veteran Nico Hülkenberg offered a knowing smile and a touch of humour:
“I hope it’s a good sleeper. We’ve been quite lucky with ours. But yeah, it’s a beautiful adventure. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.”
It’s a sentiment shared by many in the F1 community – that while the sport is fiercely competitive, moments like these remind everyone of the shared human experience beyond the helmet. Even Lewis Hamilton, who’s locked horns with Verstappen on countless occasions, took a moment to send his regards.
“I just wish him all the best. It’s such a special thing. I spoke to him briefly in Saudi, and you could see how excited he was. Big congratulations to him.”
George Russell chimed in too, reflecting on the joy that children bring – even from the sidelines.
“I don’t have kids, but my nieces and nephews bring me so much happiness when I see them. You can totally see how something like this can add a whole new dimension to your life. But on track? Max is Max. I don’t think it’ll change how he races.”
And he’s probably right. Verstappen has made a career out of compartmentalising pressure, whether it’s a wheel-to-wheel battle with Hamilton or the expectations that come with carrying a team. If anything, having Lily might offer him a new kind of motivation, one rooted in legacy rather than records.
While Verstappen returns to the track, back home, a new kind of championship journey has just begun – one filled with first steps, bedtime stories, and the kind of love that no trophy could ever match.
Welcome to the world, Lily. And congratulations to Max and Kelly on the start of this brand-new adventure.
