Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has once again captivated the motorsport world, but this time it wasn’t with a pole position or a race win. During the Miami Grand Prix, which takes place on 4 May 2025, Verstappen shared some big news about his newborn daughter, Lily, who he and his partner Kelly Piquet welcomed on 1 May 2025. In an interview with ESPN ahead of free practice, the Red Bull driver spoke proudly about his fatherhood and made a striking statement: he hopes Lily will one day follow in his footsteps in Formula 1. “Look at this Verstappen bloodline!” he said with a laugh, referring to his family’s rich racing history. The words have set fans and media alike alight, with speculation swirling about newborn Lily’s future in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Lily’s birth was already big news, especially since Verstappen skipped the media day in Miami to be at the birth, as reported by NOS. He arrived late in the paddock, but his smile spoke volumes. Verstappen, who is already a bonus father to Kelly’s five-year-old daughter Penelope from her previous relationship with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, seems to be embracing fatherhood with open arms. In the ESPN interview, he emphasized how special it is to now be a father himself. “Penelope has already prepared me, but this is different. She’s our baby,” he said. His comment about the “Verstappen bloodline” refers to his own background: his father Jos Verstappen was an F1 driver, his mother Sophie Kumpen a successful karter, and his sister Victoria also has an affinity for motorsport. This family history fuels the hope that Lily has inherited her racing talent.
Verstappen’s ambition for his daughter doesn’t come out of the blue. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko previously hinted on X that a Verstappen daughter could be an “interesting driver” for the future, a statement that was enthusiastically shared by fans. The Verstappen bloodline is often praised, with Jos playing a crucial role in Max’s career, and Max himself breaking records as the youngest F1 debutant and race winner. His dominant performances, such as the 19 wins in 2023 with the RB19, have made him a legend, as GPFans points out. With Lily now part of this legacy, fans are wondering if she will represent the next generation of Verstappen drivers. One post on X summed up the sentiment: “Lily Verstappen in F1? That would be epic!”
Still, Verstappen’s hopes for Lily’s F1 future are not without caveats. The driver, known for his down-to-earth attitude, qualified his statement by saying that Lily must choose her own path. “Maybe she’ll be a racing driver, maybe not. But with our genes, she has a chance,” he joked. He also referred to his own youth, where karting became his passion thanks to his parents. Motorsport.com reports that Verstappen is already thinking about how to introduce Lily to motorsport, possibly through karting, but he stressed that the fun comes first. His own youth, where he got into a kart at the age of three, serves as inspiration.
The timing of Verstappen’s comments is notable. The Miami Grand Prix is a crucial moment for Red Bull, which is struggling with the balance of the RB21, as GP33 reported. Despite finishing fourth in sprint qualifying, Verstappen remains focused, but fatherhood seems to have given him a new dimension. He even spoke about his hobbies, such as gaming, and laughed: “Maybe I’ll game with Lily one day!” This light-hearted side of Verstappen contrasts with his fierce battle with the FIA, who threatened him with a fine after criticising Mercedes’ car, as GPFans reported.
For fans, Verstappen’s vision for Lily’s future is a source of excitement. Formula 1 is evolving, with a new generation of drivers such as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, but the name Verstappen remains synonymous with success. Whether Lily will actually enter F1 is still a long way off, but her father is aiming high. With the Verstappen bloodline as a foundation and Max’s unparalleled drive, motorsport looks set to have a promising future, both on and off the track.
