Max Verstappen Refutes Claims of Being Affected as a Driver After Birth of Daughter Lily

Max Verstappen made it clear that Lily's birth was not going to impact the way he races in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen Refutes Claims of Being Affected as a Driver After Birth of Daughter Lily

Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet with newborn daughter Lily (via @maxverstappen1/Instagram)

Max Verstappen recently embraced fatherhood after his girlfriend Kelly Piquet gave birth to their daughter Lily. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Verstappen’s new life as a father in the F1 paddock. However, the reigning world champion has made one thing clear, that his daughter will not affect the way he races at the pinnacle of motorsport.

The Red Bull star is already considering buying Lily a racing simulator when she gets older, perhaps to encourage her to take the path of sim racing.

Formula 1 has a saying that drivers get slower once they become a parent. After having a child, it is believed that drivers become more cautious and no longer take as big of a risk that they used to do previously. Max Verstappen was asked if this has also happened to him since Lily’s birth. The 27-year-old had a rather firm reply.

Verstappen sternly said that this was not the case. The reigning world champion made it clear that he keeps his private and professional life separate, with no impact of fatherhood being felt on his on-track performances. The Dutchman has proved that becoming a father does not cause a decline in results. Max Verstappen had dominated the Emilia Romagna GP just a couple of weeks after Lily’s birth.

No, that’s separate from Formula 1. What I do in Formula 1 does not affect how I feel privately.

Max Verstappen said, as reported by GPBlog

Max Verstappen doing his ‘best’ over 2025 F1 title fight

The 2025 F1 season has been a challenging one for Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion has failed to get a good start against the likes of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. In the first eight races, the Red Bull star has bagged only two race wins and sits third in the standings. This has raised questions over Verstappen’s ability to win the championship this season. Though, the 27-year-old has asserted that he is doing the best he can on-track.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

The four-time world champion insisted that he still believes in the title fight and goes all-out every race weekend. The Dutchman claimed that even if he didn’t believe in it, it wouldn’t matter as long as he was doing his best on-track. Max Verstappen made it clear that he will get the best result possible with the car he is given, be it a win or a mere points finish. The 27-year-old said that this simple approach allowed him to save energy during a hectic F1 season.

It’s not that I don’t believe in it. I go to the track every weekend and do my best. I don’t have to fully believe in it or not. I know that every time I go there, I do my best. If it’s with a car that can do P5, I’ll put it on P5. If I can win, I will win. honestly, I just approach it very simply, which doesn’t take much energy either. That’s why I also have a lot of free time!

Max Verstappen said on media day at Spanish GP

Certainly, Max Verstappen understands that taking added pressure over the championship will only make things more difficult. The four-time world champion is trying to take things one race at a time, and getting the best result possible. So far, he is still in the race for the title with 16 races to go. However, Verstappen will need a stronger Red Bull car within a few races to really have a shot at winning his fifth title in a row.

Read More: Max Verstappen Declares Red Bull to Bounce Back at Spanish GP After Dismal Monaco Outing