Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, have welcomed their first child together, a baby girl named Lily, on the eve of the highly anticipated Miami Grand Prix. The joyous announcement, shared on Instagram, featured adorable pictures of the happy couple with their newborn daughter. “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,” they wrote. “Our hearts are fuller than ever – you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.”
Verstappen’s absence from the Miami International Autodrome’s media day on Thursday sparked speculation about his participation in the race. Red Bull Racing swiftly released a statement clarifying the situation: “Please note that Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby. All is well and he will attend track tomorrow for the race weekend. We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family.”
While not officially confirmed, reports suggest Lily’s arrival was on Thursday morning. Verstappen reportedly departed from Nice later that afternoon, arriving in Miami in the early hours of Friday morning, ready to compete in the race. This remarkable display of dedication to both his family and his career showcases the exceptional balance Verstappen manages.
Fellow Formula 1 drivers and personalities offered their congratulations. Sir Lewis Hamilton expressed his well wishes, stating, “I just wish him all the best. It’s such a special thing. I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.” Nico Hulkenberg, the only other father on the grid, also sent his congratulations, adding a thoughtful perspective on fatherhood in the high-pressure world of F1: “I hope it’s a good sleeper! Lots to discover. Beautiful and nice things. I’m sure he will enjoy that,” Hulkenberg commented. “I think everyone is obviously different. Just speaking for myself, I tend to forget what goes on outside. I personally feel it’s an added benefit. I’d even say it’s been helpful for me.”
Kelly Piquet, daughter of the controversial three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, and Max began their relationship in October 2020. Kelly also has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat – the very driver Verstappen replaced at Red Bull in 2016. Verstappen affectionately refers to himself as Penelope’s “bonus dad,” demonstrating his commitment to family. “Luckily I did get a little bit of training with Penelope, seeing her grow up already for like four years. Which has been also really, really nice,” Verstappen shared in a previous interview. “But yes, for sure, when it’s like, also going to be fully your own [kid]… Yes, it’s going to be a different challenge. But I’m looking forward to it.”
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