Max Verstappen’s Candid Reaction to Daughter Lily’s Racing Future Sparks Debate
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has delivered a refreshingly honest—and unexpected—response when asked about the possibility of his daughter, Lily Verstappen-Piquet, one day becoming an F1 champion. The Dutchman, who welcomed his first child earlier this year with partner Kelly Piquet, has made it clear that while fatherhood has brought him immense joy, he does not envision a future for Lily in the high-pressure world he currently dominates.
Since becoming a parent, Verstappen has frequently spoken about the happiness Lily has brought into his life, particularly after intense race weekends. Observers within the paddock have even noted a calmer, more composed side to the Red Bull driver in recent months, suggesting that family life has helped him mature further both on and off the track. However, when the conversation turned to Lily’s potential future in motorsport, Verstappen’s response was immediate and emphatic.
Asked during his end-of-season interview with Viaplay whether he could imagine Lily becoming the first female Formula 1 world champion, Verstappen did not hesitate. “I hope not,” he said bluntly. “Please no. No, no, no—I hope not.”
While his words may have surprised fans, they reflect Verstappen’s increasingly open discomfort with the intense scrutiny that comes with life in Formula 1. For him, the sport’s relentless media attention, constant travel, and unyielding pressure are burdens he would rather his daughter never have to shoulder.
Verstappen’s complicated relationship with the modern F1 environment has become more visible over the past few seasons. Despite continuing to perform at an extraordinary level on track, he has repeatedly voiced frustration with aspects of the sport away from racing itself. In 2024, he made headlines after refusing to participate in official FIA press conferences for a period, following a controversial punishment for swearing during one such session. The sanction, which included a community service-style penalty, left the reigning champion openly irritated with the governing body.
His resistance to Formula 1’s growing entertainment focus has also been evident elsewhere. Earlier this year, Verstappen chose not to attend the premiere of the official F1 movie, which all 20 drivers were invited to ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. While many of his peers embraced the event as part of the sport’s global marketing push, Verstappen stayed away, reinforcing the sense that he is increasingly selective about how much of the F1 circus he is willing to engage with.
In the same Viaplay interview where he discussed Lily’s future, Verstappen also addressed another topic that has generated widespread speculation: his own longevity in the sport. Despite being just 28 years old and still at the peak of his powers, the Dutchman suggested that an early retirement remains a very real possibility.
“I don’t see myself driving in Formula 1 until I’m 44, let alone with 24 races per season,” Verstappen admitted. “Even being in F1 at 34 would be too much.”
Those comments hint at a potential exit far sooner than many fans might expect. If Verstappen were to follow his own timeline, he could walk away from Formula 1 in as little as five or six seasons, a remarkable thought given his continued dominance and the likelihood that he could rewrite even more records before then.
At the heart of Verstappen’s outlook is a clear distinction between racing and Formula 1 as an institution. While he has stressed that his passion for racing itself remains undiminished, the expanding calendar, increased media obligations, and growing commercial demands appear to be wearing thin. Becoming a father has seemingly sharpened his perspective, making him more protective of his personal life and more aware of what he might be willing—or unwilling—to sacrifice in the future.
For now, Verstappen remains fully committed to competing at the highest level, chasing further success and adding to an already glittering career. But his comments about Lily and his own retirement plans offer a rare glimpse into a champion who is beginning to think beyond trophies and titles. In a sport defined by ambition and longevity, Verstappen’s honesty stands out—and suggests that, for him, life after Formula 1 may arrive much sooner than anyone once expected.
