Max Verstappen announces birth of first child ahead of Miami GP

The four-time world champion has just had his first child with partner Kelly Piquet, who has given birth to a baby daughter

Max Verstappen has announced the birth of his first child as he and his partner Kelly Piquet have received a baby daughter.

The four-time world champion posted two images on social media, including one with him and Piquet, as well as their new child Lily.

Verstappen wrote: “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.”

This comes after the Red Bull driver was given special dispensation to skip media day on Thursday ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix.

It is believed that his $50million first touched down in Miami around 8pm on Thursday evening having just witnessed the birth of his daughter.

Lily is his first child with Piquet, who also has a daughter called Penelope from a previous relationship with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.

Verstappen, who has a close relationship with Penelope, whose grandfather is triple world champion Nelson Piquet, has previously said he will not change his driving style when he becomes a father.

He said: “I have done it already, so it is not like it is completely new for me. Now it is my DNA, let’s say it like that, but I think it is absolutely fine and I know the baby will be in good hands anyway. So for me, you focus on your racing and then go back to your family."

Nico Hulkenberg, who is the only other father on the F1 grid, has joked that he hopes Verstappen's first child is a "good sleeper”.

Hulkenberg, whose daughter was born in 2021, said: “I hope it is a good sleeper and we've been quite fortunate and there will be lots to discover, many beautiful and nice things that come with it."

Other fathers who have recently competed in F1 are Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean, and Felipe Massa.

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