Max Verstappen showed up to the Miami Grand Prix with more than just racing on his mind—he arrived as a brand-new dad. The four-time Formula 1 world champion and his partner Kelly Piquet announced the birth of their daughter, Lily, on Friday with a heartfelt Instagram post that melted hearts across the paddock (and the internet).
“Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,” they wrote. “Our hearts are fuller than ever — you are our greatest gift.”
The couple didn’t reveal when Lily was born, but Verstappen had skipped Thursday’s pre-race media events to be with Piquet, and touched down in Miami later that night. According to reports, he flew in on his $50 million private jet—because of course he did.
This is Verstappen’s first biological child, though he’s long been a loving father figure to Penelope, Kelly Piquet’s daughter from her previous relationship with fellow F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. The blended family is already tight-knit, and now even fuller with Lily’s arrival.
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Max Verstappen Goes From Grid to Dad Mode
Verstappen now joins Nico Hülkenberg as the only active driver on the F1 grid with children. And while some in the sport have speculated for years that parenthood might slow a driver down, his colleagues aren’t buying it.
“He’s joining that club,” said Hülkenberg. “I hope it’s a good sleeper… I’d even say being a parent helps—it’s given me so much outside of racing.”
Mercedes driver George Russell echoed that sentiment, adding:
“You’ve seen drivers in the past win championships and races who’ve got kids, so I don’t see it changing anything on his professional level.”
Even Lewis Hamilton chimed in with his congratulations.
“It’s such an amazing, special thing,” he said. “I saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.”
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Still Max, Just With Baby Bottles
As for whether fatherhood will change Verstappen’s edge behind the wheel, he’s already shut that down.
“I’ve done it already,” he said recently, referring to his close relationship with Penelope. “Now it’s in my DNA, let’s say it like that. The baby will be in good hands. You focus on racing, and then go back to your family.”
And focus he will—because while Max has won the last four championships, 2024 has started off a little bumpier. McLaren is putting up a serious fight this season, with Lando Norris winning in Miami last year and Verstappen sitting third in the standings going into the weekend.
But if anything, his heart may just be racing faster for reasons off the track.
In the first image, Max cradles Lily while Kelly leans in, both looking blissed-out and sleep-deprived in the most relatable way. In the second, Lily rests in a cozy wrap, surrounded by soft light and even softer expressions from her parents. It’s giving love. It’s giving peace. It’s giving… grid dad era.
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A New Chapter Begins
For a driver who’s broken records and dominated podiums, Max Verstappen just landed a new title that might mean even more: dad. And while the Miami Grand Prix looms, it’s clear his biggest win this week came with ten tiny fingers and a name—Lily.