Max Verstappen’s Candid Response Sparks Debate Over Daughter Lily’s Racing Future
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has delivered a surprisingly blunt response when asked about the possibility of his daughter one day becoming an F1 champion, offering rare insight into how fatherhood has reshaped his outlook on both life and the sport.
Earlier this year, Verstappen welcomed his first child, Lily Verstappen-Piquet, with partner Kelly Piquet. Since becoming a father, the Dutch driver has frequently spoken about how much he values returning home after race weekends, with many observers noting a calmer, more reflective presence from the usually intense competitor on the F1 grid.
However, while Verstappen’s passion for racing remains clear, his feelings about the environment surrounding Formula 1 appear increasingly conflicted—particularly when it comes to the idea of his daughter entering the same world.
During an end-of-season interview with Viaplay, Verstappen was asked about the long-term possibility of Lily following in his footsteps and potentially becoming the first female Formula 1 world champion. His reaction was immediate and emphatic.
“I hope not,” Verstappen said. “Please no. No, no, no—I hope not.”
The response quickly drew attention, not because Verstappen doubts his daughter’s potential, but because of his growing discomfort with the pressures that come with life at the top of Formula 1. For Verstappen, the issue is less about racing itself and more about the intense media scrutiny, public judgment, and constant demands placed on drivers from a very young age.
Verstappen has never hidden his complicated relationship with the non-racing aspects of Formula 1. While he remains fiercely competitive on track, he has become increasingly vocal about his frustrations with the sport’s politics, promotional expectations, and disciplinary structures.
Those frustrations came into sharp focus during the 2024 season, when Verstappen chose to boycott official FIA press conferences for a period. The decision followed a controversial punishment handed down by the FIA after he swore during one such session—a sanction that included a community service-style penalty. Verstappen viewed the punishment as excessive and emblematic of what he sees as Formula 1 losing touch with its core values.
His disengagement from the sport’s promotional side continued earlier this year when he opted not to attend the premiere of the official Formula 1 movie ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, despite all 20 drivers being invited. The absence further fuelled speculation that Verstappen’s patience with Formula 1’s expanding commercial focus is wearing thin.
In the same Viaplay interview where he spoke about his daughter, Verstappen also addressed his own future in the sport—and his comments suggested that retirement may come far sooner than many fans expect.
“I don’t see myself driving in Formula 1 until I’m 44, let alone with 24 races per season,” he said. “Even being in F1 at 34 would be too much.”
At just 28 years old, Verstappen is already one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, with four world titles to his name. If he were to stick to the timeline he outlined, his Formula 1 career could conclude in as little as five more seasons—a remarkably short span by modern standards.
Despite his frustrations, Verstappen has been clear that his love for racing itself remains intact. What appears to be fading is his tolerance for the surrounding noise: the constant travel, expanding calendar, media obligations, and relentless scrutiny that now define life in Formula 1.
Fatherhood seems to have sharpened that perspective. With Lily now part of his life, Verstappen has openly prioritised balance and personal happiness over chasing records or extending his career purely for legacy’s sake. His strong reaction to the idea of his daughter entering Formula 1 reflects a protective instinct—and perhaps a desire to shield her from the pressures he has endured since childhood.
For now, Verstappen remains fully committed to competing at the highest level and adding to his already extraordinary achievements. But his recent comments offer a rare glimpse into a driver who may be preparing, mentally at least, for a life beyond Formula 1—one where racing no longer comes at the cost of family, freedom, and peace of mind.
