Following the birth of daughter Lily, Verstappen joins exclusive club in Formula 1

15:29, 02 May

Updated: 16:14, 02 May

byKada Sarkozi

Max Verstappen's first child, Lily was born on May 1, 2025. That makes the Dutchman only the second father on the current F1 grid.

Besides the defending world champion, Nico Hulkenberg is the only father on the grid. Hulkenberg and his wife, Egle Ruskyte's daughter Noemi was born in 2021. The couple's relationship began in 2015 and they got married in 2021, with having the wedding in 2022.

In 2024, there were two more parents competing in Formula 1, with Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen also having children, but they left after previous season. As a result, until this moment, only the Sauber driver had the title 'father' on the grid.

On May 1st, 2025, Kelly Piquet and Verstappen's daughter Lily was born. Verstappen was not present in Miami during the media day, and only arrived on Friday. A day after Lily was born, the couple shared the news.

Hulkenberg tackes F1 myth about becoming a father

Hulkenberg, as the only father until now, was also asked in Miami about what it's like to become a parent for a F1 driver.

"Since Checo and Magnussen left at the end of last year, I was the only dad. So yes, he's joining that club. I hope they're a good sleeper. We've been quite fortunate and lucky, but yes, I think lots to discover, many beautiful and nice things that come with that. So yes, I'm sure he'll enjoy that," Hulkenberg said on Thursday with a smile.

In the competition, there is a saying once a driver's first child is born, they lose a couple of tenths. Hulkenberg does not believe that's the cause

"Judge for yourself. Look at the stats and what happens. I think everyone is obviously different, but personally, I can only speak for myself, I don't feel that's the case. I feel once we step in the car, visor down, go out, even for me, I tend to forget what goes on outside because we're just so focused and so driven to perform and then maximise."

The German also added that the birth of her daughter only helped him. "I just personally felt it's added benefit because it's given me so much outside of work and outside of being in Formula 1. I would even say it's been helpful for me, if anything," he concluded.

This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaij