Last Updated on December 22 2025, 8:52 am

Verstappen: “Farewells have changed.” – Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has offered a rare insight into his personal life, speaking candidly about how becoming a father has altered his outlook beyond the racetrack. In a personal interview recorded during the United States Grand Prix weekend, the four-time world champion reflected on both his career and his role as a father.

The interview, conducted for Red Bull and TAG Heuer, took place in Austin and was with stuntman Riley Harper. Verstappen revealed that he had deliberately delayed his arrival in Texas, choosing to travel on the day of the recording so that he could spend more time at home with his family.

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More time with the family

“It’s a bit later today, but I prefer it this way now,” he explained. “Also because of the little one at home. She’s about five and a half months old.”

For the Red Bull driver, those extra hours have taken on new importance. “It’s simply nice to spend a little more time together, especially when you know you won’t be there for two weeks,” he added.

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“Having my first child was no shock”

Verstappen spoke candidly about his experience of fatherhood so far, describing the transition as natural rather than overwhelming. “Yes, so far it’s been really very good. I’m really enjoying it,” he said.

The Dutchman has been in a relationship with Kelly Piquet since 2020. In April 2025, the couple welcomed their first child together: a daughter named Lily. However, Verstappen had already played an active role in family life long before becoming a father himself.

Piquet has a six-year-old daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship, and Verstappen has been present in her life since she was very young. He often refers to himself as a “bonus dad”, a role that helped prepare him for the arrival of Lily.

“My girlfriend already had a daughter. She’s six now, and we’ve been together for over five years. I’ve known her since she was one,” Verstappen explained.

“Therefore, it wasn’t a shock for me. Now it’s more about experiencing this first year with a baby.”

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Farewells feel different now

Although Verstappen insists that his focus and professionalism on the track have not changed, he admits that leaving home has become more emotional. The constant travel required by Formula 1 is something he now experiences differently.

“Closing the door and leaving feels a bit different now,” he said, highlighting how fatherhood has altered even the most routine moments of his career.

At the same time, returning home has become even more special. Verstappen spoke proudly about Lily’s rapid development and the joy of witnessing her milestones.

“She started laughing, reacting and reaching for things,” he said. “She can almost sit up already.”

For a driver who has achieved almost everything possible in Formula 1, it is these small moments away from the circuit that now carry a significance that even world titles cannot match.

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NEXT ARTICLE – F1 row erupting over 2026 regulation loophole

There was Williams active suspension in the 1990’s, Renault’s electronic gismos in the mid naughties, the double diffuser of the Brawn car and off throttle blowing by Red Bull and Renault. All loopholes in the regulation which a single team managed to exploit to win championships.

Now with the biggest set of technical regulations coming in the history of F1, another loophole is likely to cause a paddock row and a potential protest from certain teams come the season opener in Australia.

The grey area some manufacturers of the powertrains are seeking to exploit is over the new compression ratios for the internal combustion engine specified by the FIA.

 

Maximum compression rate for ICE reduced for 2026

Whilst no formal complaint has yet been made, the finger of suspicion has fallen upon Mercedes – who supply McLaren, Williams and Alpine together with Red Bull powertrains who supply the Racing Bulls and Red bull Racing.

The beef surrounds Article C5.4.3 of the new technical regulations which mandates a reduction in compression rates from 18.0:1 to 16.0;1. The reason behind this was to temper peak performance and deliver more efficient combustion in lines with the sport’s ever increasing green values, but it appears to have created a new complex battle between the manufacturers.

The loophole has been created by the FIA’s decision on how to measure the new ratio. Under the current rules this will…READ MORE ON THIS STORY