Racing
© Morio
Max Verstappen says fatherhood has changed his priorities, with the Red Bull champion determined to keep his daughter Lily away from Formula 1 for now so she can choose her own path later.
In an interview with De Telegraaf, Verstappen said he does not want Lily in public view or in the paddock because "a baby or small child should lead a carefree life." He said the decision was "purely rational and protective," adding that she should be able to decide for herself in future whether she wants any of that exposure.
The four-time world champion also made clear he has no interest in steering her toward racing or any other specific pursuit. He said the most important thing is to "always be yourself" and rejected the idea of being an ambitious father who pushes a child in a set direction. Verstappen said Lily must have complete freedom to decide what she wants to do later.
That applied to sport as well. Verstappen said physical activity is good for children because it helps them stay healthy and keeps them away from "stupid things," but he argued that parents should not force it. In his view, a child can be introduced to sports, but the choice has to remain theirs.
His protective stance is shaped in part by his own childhood as the son of former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen. He said he still remembers how hard it was when his father left for races and recalled Jos sometimes slipping away through the back door because he would cry when it was time for him to go.
Verstappen said becoming a father has already changed the way he handles race weekends. He explained that he now arrives later than he once would have, saying he flew in only on Wednesday morning for one event, whereas in the past he likely would have traveled on Tuesday. After races, he said, he heads home as quickly as possible because so much of his year is already spent away.
Beyond privacy, Verstappen said the values he wants to pass on are simple. He spoke about being kind to family, remembering that not everyone will be there forever, and showing compassion to the people around you, a philosophy that now sits alongside the demands of life at the front of Formula 1.