Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet have announced the birth of their first child on the eve of the Miami Grand Prix.
On Thursday, it was revealed that Verstappen was not at the Miami International Autodrome and would be skipping media duties as girlfriend Piquet was due to give birth.
And on Friday afternoon, the couple announced the amazing news on Instagram along with some adorable pictures of the pair with their daughter Lily.
‘Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,’ they wrote.
‘Our hearts are fuller than ever – you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.’
Given the circumstances, there were questions over whether the Red Bull driver would be racing this weekend in the first of three grand prix in the USA.
This was clarified on Thursday by Red Bull who put out the following statement: ‘Please note that 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.’
Though yet to be confirmed, it was assumed Lily was born on Thursday morning, with Verstappen flying out from Nice later in the afternoon and arriving in Miami in the early hours of the morning.
Among those in the F1 paddock to congratulate the happy family was Sir Lewis Hamilton, who said on Thursday: ‘I just wish him all the best.
‘It’s such a special thing. I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.’
Nico Hulkenberg, the only other father on the grid, also sent his best wishes but warned his fellow drivers that becoming a dad won’t slow Verstappen down as he seeks a fifth-consecutive world championship.
‘I hope it’s a good sleeper! Lots to discover. Beautiful and nice things. I’m sure he will enjoy that,’ the Sauber star said.
‘I think everyone is obviously different. Just speaking for myself, I tend to forget what goes on outside. I personally feel it’s an added benefit. I’d even say it’s been helpful for me.’
Kelly, daughter of controversial three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, and Max began dating in October 2020.
The Brazilian model has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with ex-F1 star Daniil Kvyat – coincidently, the driver Verstappen replaced at Red Bull in 2016 – with the Dutchman referring to himself as Penelope’s ‘bonus dad’.
‘Luckily I did get a little bit of training with Penelope, seeing her grow up already for like four years. Which has been also really, really nice,’ Verstappen said previously.
‘But yes, for sure, when it’s like, also going be fully your own [kid]… Yes, it’s going to be a different challenge. But I’m looking forward to it.’
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