Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, recently shared his amusing first thought when he held his newborn daughter Lily for the very first time. The 27-year-old racing icon became a father last week alongside model and influencer partner Kelly Piquet, marking a joyful milestone in his life. Despite having experience as a ‘bonus dad’ to Kelly’s daughter Penelope, the experience of holding his own baby was fresh and unexpected. Verstappen’s funny reaction revealed a light-hearted and relatable side to the star, making fans smile or even laugh at his charming honesty.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, Max Verstappen described his initial impression of baby Lily in a way nobody might expect from a high-speed racing driver.
“At first I thought it was like a chicken in a package in a supermarket, so to speak. That skin, haha,”
he said, showing his playful humor right from the start. This candid moment gave fans a glimpse into the lighter side of fatherhood for one of the sport’s top talents, blending excitement with a bit of surprise as he adjusted to this new chapter in his life.
Lily was born during a busy stretch in the F1 calendar, arriving between the Saudi Arabia and Miami Grands Prix. This timing allowed Verstappen to be present for the birth, and he took full advantage of those precious first days with his family.
“It was beautiful to be part of. It’s nice that I could be there. My father and mother also said that that’s the best thing, to be there and experience everything. Well, that’s absolutely true,”
Max reflected, emphasizing the meaningful nature of these early moments with baby Lily.
For those who doubted whether Verstappen could quickly adapt to fatherhood, his response leaves no doubt that he is embracing the role with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
“I have to say, so far it’s actually quite nice. She also sleeps quite well, so that helps of course,”
he joked.
“Seeing your own child like that is very special. And of course, if I take my sister as an example — Victoria has two boys and a girl — then you see those children and then you hold them — that is already very special, but when you also fully hold your own child, that is of course an even bigger step.”
Baby Lily represents a beautiful blend of cultures, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of her parents and family. With a Brazilian mother born in Germany, a Dutch father born in Belgium, and grandparents from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Brazil, Lily embodies global heritage. She was born in Monaco, which adds another layer to her unique story, yet Max keeps her nationality simple:
“I think just Dutch and Brazilian. Let’s just keep it simple,”
he said.
When asked about the story behind the name “Lily,” Verstappen revealed that choosing it wasn’t instant.
“Well, it took quite a while,”
he explained.
“The first few months we were really like: ‘Yeah, what are we actually going to call her?’ No idea. And at some point, I don’t know, it just sounded nice. And short, with the last name too. No middle name, just Lily. We both agreed. So it was all good.”
This insight shows the natural, thoughtful process behind naming their daughter and adds a personal touch to the heartwarming story.
Max Verstappen’s funny first thought holding baby Lily illustrates the unexpected and genuine moments that emerge when life changes so profoundly. His openness and humor, combined with his passion for family, give fans a new perspective on the world champion beyond the racetrack. As he continues to embrace fatherhood with joy and sincerity, supporters will surely watch with interest to see how this exciting new role shapes both his personal life and racing career.
