Verstappen Shuts Down the “Baby Slows You Down” Myth After Miami Pole

Fresh off a new baby and pole in Miami, Max Verstappen proves speed and fatherhood can go hand in hand, no slowing down.

Max Verstappen had a clear message for anyone suggesting that becoming a father would slow him down: think again.

The reigning World Champion responded with actions and words in Miami, clinching pole position for the Grand Prix just days after the birth of his daughter, Lily. While some might have expected a drop in performance, Verstappen made it clear that fatherhood hasn’t dulled his edge, if anything, he seems more focused than ever.

This was also a cheeky response to Lando Norris, who joked after qualifying that a baby might finally take the edge off the Red Bull driver.

Max missed media day at the Miami International Autodrome to be home with his newborn. Lily, born in late April, just before the team flew out, gave Verstappen precious time to bond before heading back to the racing world.

“It was nice to have a few days at home before coming here. When a baby is just born, you want to make sure everything’s okay,” Max shared. “It clearly hasn’t slowed me down. So that’s a positive, and something people can stop talking about.”

Though he’s now a father, Verstappen insists nothing has changed about the way he approaches racing.

“I still feel fast. I’m constantly in touch with my girlfriend, sharing photos, FaceTiming… But on track, the speed is still there. Only now, there’s one more person in the family.”

Asked whether he feared fatherhood might change him as a driver, Max was blunt.

“No, I don’t really listen to that kind of nonsense. I just do my thing. Plenty of world champions have had kids, it’s not exactly a new concept. I’m not sure where this theory even comes from.”

During a chat with reporters, Verstappen revealed he and his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, wanted a simple and elegant name for their daughter.

“At some point, Lily just felt right. Short, sweet. No middle name, just Lily and her last name.”

It’s still unclear if she’ll carry Verstappen’s name, Piquet’s, or both. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff couldn’t help making a marketing suggestion: “If she were called Piquet-Verstappen, that would be fantastic branding!”

Despite being born in Monaco, Lily won’t be taking the Monegasque nationality of Charles Leclerc. “She’ll have Dutch and Brazilian passports. We’re keeping it simple.”

And simplicity seems to be the theme of this new chapter for Max. So far, he hasn’t changed a single diaper.

“Kelly’s got everything under control,” he laughed, admitting that her pregnancy even made him a bit lazier with his own habits. “I kind of ate along with her cravings, so I’m just on the edge of my weight limit. Now I just need to brake later into Turn 1.”

Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko says Verstappen’s newfound fatherhood has only improved his mood, and performance.

“He’s completely relaxed, enjoying his role as a dad. He showed me pictures of the baby with the dog and cat. He’s happy, and you can see it. He didn’t slow down by three tenths—he’s two tenths faster.”