Max Verstappen delighted at birth of his first child with partner Kelly Piquet

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Four-time defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen arrived at the Miami Grand Prix on Friday as a first-time father after announcing he and partner Kelly Piquet had welcomed a daughter.

''Welcome to the world, sweet Lily,'' Verstappen and Piquet wrote Friday on Instagram. ''Our hearts are fuller than ever — you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.''

Verstappen had skipped Thursday activities at this weekend's Miami Grand Prix to be with Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet. The couple released no details about the birth, including when his daughter was born.

Verstappen and Piquet went public with their relationship in 2021. She has a daughter, Penelope, with driver Daniil Kvyat that Verstappen is very close with but this is the first child for Verstappen.

Verstappen joins Nico Hülkenberg as the only active F1 drivers this season with children.

''He's joining that club. I hope it's a good sleeper,'' Hulkenberg said. ''I think there's lots to discover — many beautiful, nice things that come with that. I'm sure he'll enjoy it.''

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton said he spoke to Verstappen at F1's last race and could tell the Dutchman was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his child.

''It's such an amazing, special thing,'' Hamilton said. ''I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.''

But there's a myth that racers often slow down when they become parents because they begin driving more cautiously and lose some of the edge that made them successful.

''Judge for yourself, look at the stats and what happens. Everyone is obviously different, but personally, I don't feel that's the case,'' Hulkenberg said. "I feel once we step in the car — visor down, go out — even for me, I tend to forget what goes on outside because we're just so focused and so driven to perform and maximize.

''I just personally feel it's added benefit because it's giving me so much outside of work and outside of being in Formula 1,'' he added. ''So I would even say it's kind of been helpful for me, if anything.''

Mercedes driver George Russell doubted being a father will change Verstappen's on-track performance.

''As Nico says, I think for many people it probably brings things to your life. I know what it's like when I see my nieces and nephews — they're not my kids, but they bring me so much joy when I spend time with them,'' Russell said. ''And you've seen drivers in the past win championships and races who've got kids, so I don't see it changing anything on his professional level.''

Verstappen, who has 64 career victories, has won the last four F1 titles. He's won just once this season as McLaren has shown an early edge over Red Bull headed into Sunday's race, the sixth of the season. He is third in the series standings.

Verstappen won the first two Miami Grand Prix races, while Lando Norris of McLaren scored the first F1 victory of his career at this race last year.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing