Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, has become a father for the first time. His daughter, Lilly, was born on May 1 to Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet. The news broke on a Friday, causing Verstappen to miss a press conference ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
Verstappen joins a small group of Formula 1 drivers who are fathers. Nico Hulkenberg, who drives for Sauber, is another father in the F1 paddock. His daughter, Noemi Sky, was born on September 24, 2021. Hulkenberg was the only father in F1 for a while after Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Pérez left the sport at the end of 2024.
Magnussen has two daughters: Laura, born in 2021, and Agnes, who is two years younger. Pérez has four kids: Sergio Júnior, Carlota, Emilio, and a younger daughter born in September 2023. Hulkenberg reacted to Verstappen’s news by saying, “It’s funny that since Pérez and Magnussen left last year, I was the only dad in F1. Max has now joined this small club.” He added that having a child can bring many good things and that it helped him become more focused on racing.
A Family Affair
Verstappen already has experience as a stepfather. He and Kelly Piquet started dating in 2021. Kelly had a daughter, Penelope, with Russian F1 driver Daniil Kvyat before she met Verstappen. Verstappen considers Penelope his daughter. Kelly Piquet is the daughter of Nelson Piquet, a three-time F1 champion. Nelson Piquet has seven children from various relationships, earning him a reputation as a playboy. He had his first child in 1977 and went on to have more children in his subsequent marriages and relationships.