Max Verstappen has officially entered a whole new chapter, fatherhood – The reigning Formula One champion and his partner Kelly Piquet have welcomed their first baby together, a daughter named Lily, and confirmed the happy news with a joint Instagram post on Friday, May 2.
The 27-year-old Red Bull Racing driver, who’s usually making headlines for pole positions and podiums, shared something a little more personal this time. The post featured a touching black-and-white photo of baby Lily’s tiny hand, followed by a sweet snapshot of Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet cradling their newborn in a hospital bed. The caption simply read: “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily 🌸 Our hearts are fuller than ever – you are our greatest gift. We love you so much ❤️”
For fans who’ve followed their relationship, this marks a significant milestone. The couple, who went public in early 2021 after quietly dating since late 2020, first revealed they were expecting back in December with a low-key photo that showed their hands gently resting on Kelly’s bump. At the time, they captioned it: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.”
Kelly Piquet, 35, is no stranger to the F1 world herself. Daughter of legendary Brazilian racing driver Nelson Piquet, and mother to 5-year-old Penelope from her previous relationship with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, Kelly has gracefully juggled life in and around the fast-paced motorsport scene. She shared the same birth announcement on her Instagram Story, while also updating her bio to proudly read: “Mom of Penelope and Lily 🤍🌸”
The announcement of Lily’s birth comes just as Max skipped media day ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Red Bull released a statement at the time confirming his absence was due to the baby’s imminent arrival, stating: “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.”
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Kelly, always thoughtful in her approach, had also previously acknowledged the emotional weight such announcements can carry for some. After their December reveal, she posted a heartfelt message recognizing those navigating infertility or longing for a child, writing: “While such news is often a joyous occasion, it can also evoke feelings of sadness, frustration, or longing in those who are struggling… I’m sending all my love, my deepest hugs, and magic your way.”
While Max Verstappen continues to dominate the track, he along with Kelly Picquet now has an even bigger reason to drive harder and aim higher, baby Lily. As the motorsport world sends its congratulations, fans can’t help but wonder if another generation of racing royalty is already in the making.
