Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have welcomed a baby! Their daughter, Lily, was born in good health, the couple announced on social media on Friday. The four-time world champion and his Brazilian girlfriend have been showered with congratulations in the comments.
Key figures from Dutch motorsport were quick to congratulate Max Verstappen. “Congratulations on your beautiful little princess,” wrote former Formula 1 driver Robert Doornbos in response to the post. “This is the best thing there is,” added driver and analyst Tom Coronel. “Give your mother some rest, Lily,” he addressed the newborn baby. “Especially keep your father awake in the coming time – or maybe not, as it’s a race weekend,” he concluded with a wink.
Victoria Verstappen also responded enthusiastically: “I can’t wait to meet you,” said Max’s 25-year-old sister. The mother of the four-time world champion, Sophie Kumpen, added: “Welcome, dear Lily. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms.” Of course, other prominent Formula 1 names were also ready to congratulate Max Verstappen. “Congratulations, welcome to the world, Lily,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner let it be known. Red Bull, the Formula 1 organization, sponsor Heineken, and colleagues Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson also sent their congratulations.
‘Max Verstappen Will Certainly Not Slow Down’
During a press conference leading up to the Miami GP, it was expected that Max Verstappen would soon announce baby news. Drivers Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Nico Hülkenberg commented on the arrival of a new Verstappen. The latter was until recently the only father on the grid. “Verstappen is welcome to the club – I mainly hope that (the baby, ed.) is a good sleeper,” the German joked. “We were lucky in that regard. There are many beautiful and fun things that come with parenthood. I’m sure he’s going to enjoy it.”
A persistent assumption in Formula 1 is that drivers slow down once they have a child. Jos Verstappen previously called this ‘nonsense’, and Hülkenberg agrees with the rally driver: “As soon as we get in the car and the visor goes down, I forget what’s happening outside the car. We are so focused on performing. I personally found it an extra advantage, because it has brought so much outside of work and Formula 1.”
‘An Addition to Your Life’
Hamilton and Russell, who both (still) do not have children, could not provide Verstappen with advice, but they wanted to congratulate him in advance. “I just wish him the very best,” Hamilton responded. “It’s such a wonderful, special thing. I spoke to him briefly in Saudi Arabia and saw how excited he was. I want to congratulate him wholeheartedly.”
Russell, somewhat of a rival to Verstappen, was also delighted that the Dutchman would be expanding his family. “I think this is a very special moment, and I wish him the very best,” the Brit concluded. “As Nico already said, it must truly be an addition to your life. I see how much joy my nephews and nieces bring me – and they’re not even my own children. Besides, I think little will change. In the past, drivers with children have also won titles.”
