The Formula 1 paddock is abuzz with excitement as four-time world champion Max Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, are reportedly considering bringing their newborn daughter, Lily Verstappen-Piquet, to the Spanish Grand Prix on May 30-June 1, 2025. The news, which surfaced through sources close to the couple, marks a significant personal milestone for Verstappen, who welcomed Lily on May 1, 2025, just before the Miami Grand Prix. As the Red Bull driver balances his championship campaign against McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the possibility of Lily’s first appearance at a race weekend has captured the attention of fans and media alike, adding a heartwarming dimension to the high-octane world of F1.

Verstappen and Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, announced Lily’s birth via a joint Instagram post, sharing black-and-white photos of the newborn with the caption, “Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever – you are our greatest gift.” Verstappen missed media day in Miami to be present for the birth in Monaco, where the couple resides, but still managed a fourth-place finish that weekend, proving fatherhood hasn’t dulled his competitive edge. Now, as the F1 circus heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, sources indicate the couple is weighing whether to bring Lily trackside, a decision that has sparked both excitement and debate among fans.

The Spanish Grand Prix, the ninth round of the 2025 season, follows a dramatic Monaco race where strategic battles and new regulations dominated headlines. Verstappen, trailing Piastri by 25 points, is under pressure to close the gap on a track where Red Bull’s RB21 has historically performed well. Posts on X reflect the buzz around Lily’s potential appearance, with @F1Insider noting, “Max bringing his daughter to Spain would be iconic,” while others, like @RacingFanatic, question the logistics given the demanding race environment. Earlier, Verstappen dismissed the idea of Lily attending the Monaco Grand Prix, stating, “It’s better she stays at home. It’s more relaxed for her,” suggesting the couple’s careful consideration of their newborn’s comfort.

Piquet, already a mother to five-year-old Penelope from her previous relationship with ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, has been a constant presence at Verstappen’s races, often seen cheering from the Red Bull garage. Her experience as a parent, combined with Verstappen’s role as a “bonus dad” to Penelope, has prepared the couple for this new chapter. In a Viaplay interview, Verstappen humorously described holding Lily for the first time, likening her to “a chicken in a package in a supermarket,” but emphasized the profound joy of fatherhood. “It’s very special,” he said, noting Lily’s good sleeping habits have eased the transition. Piquet’s Instagram posts, filled with images of Penelope and Verstappen bonding, suggest the family is ready to integrate Lily into their F1 lifestyle, albeit cautiously.

The decision to bring Lily to Spain is not without challenges. The Barcelona paddock, while less chaotic than Monaco’s, is a high-pressure environment with media scrutiny and logistical demands. Verstappen, one of only two fathers on the 2025 grid alongside Nico Hülkenberg, has downplayed suggestions that fatherhood might slow him down, telling Pitpass, “Clearly, it didn’t make me slower being a dad.” Hülkenberg, speaking in Miami, jokingly wished for Lily to be a “good sleeper,” a sentiment Verstappen echoed. The couple’s choice of nationality for Lily—Dutch and Brazilian—reflects their blended heritage, with Verstappen born in Belgium to a Dutch father, Jos Verstappen, and Belgian mother, Sophie Kumpen, and Piquet hailing from a Brazilian racing dynasty.

Fans are already speculating about Lily’s future, given her racing pedigree. With grandparents like Nelson Piquet and Jos Verstappen, both accomplished drivers, and a mother who grew up in the F1 world, Lily’s “incredible racing DNA” has sparked playful chatter about a 2043 championship run. For now, though, the focus is on her potential paddock debut. As Verstappen prepares to battle Piastri and navigate Red Bull’s upgrades, the prospect of Lily cheering from the sidelines—perhaps in a miniature Red Bull cap—adds a heartwarming narrative to the Spanish Grand Prix. Whether she attends or stays home, Verstappen’s family dynamic is reshaping his public image, blending the intensity of a champion with the tenderness of a new father.