Max Verstappen: Daughter Lily Is His Greatest Prize

Verstappen puts family above Formula 1 success

Max Verstappen has offered a candid insight into fatherhood, saying his daughter Lily is the most important achievement in his life — ahead of the records and trophies accumulated during his Formula 1 career.

The Red Bull driver, a four-time world champion and 71-time grand prix winner, was asked by Formule1.nl to identify his greatest prize. His answer was unequivocal: “It’s that little one at home. That’s the best and most important thing. Our daughter Lily is my greatest prize. Family is by far the most important thing to me.”

Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, welcomed Lily in April 2025. The 15-month-old is now making the driver’s departures for race weekends more emotionally difficult, a reminder that the demands of a global F1 calendar extend well beyond the circuit.

The contrast with Verstappen’s competitive focus is striking. While he continues to carry Red Bull’s performance expectations — as seen in his recent assessment of the team’s priorities before the summer break — his perspective away from the paddock is increasingly shaped by life at home. Verstappen identifies Red Bull’s “big priority” before summer break.

A familiar feeling for the Verstappen family

Verstappen described one particularly difficult departure before travelling to Hungary. Lily had just woken up, and he had taken her out of bed and given her a hug before heading downstairs. As he entered the lift, she stood by the elevator at home; the doors then closed between them.

“It’s starting to hit me now,” Verstappen said. “Those aren’t fun moments when you have to leave. You know it’s just part of it.”

The scene also brought back memories of his own childhood. Verstappen recalled crying when his father, Jos, left the house, adding that his father found those moments difficult as well.

Jos Verstappen spent a decade on the Formula 1 grid between 1994 and 2003, racing for seven different teams across 106 grand prix starts. The emotional cost of that travelling life is therefore familiar within the family, but Max is now experiencing it from the other side — as the parent making the departure.

Still, Verstappen accepts that the relationship will evolve quickly. “This is just a phase that’s part of life,” he said. “At some point, it’ll turn around, and she won’t want anything to do with me anymore. Then she’ll say, ‘Dad, please go away.’”