The 2025 Austrian Grand Prix will not be forgotten anytime soon for Max Verstappen, but for very different reasons than his usual on-track successes. The four-time world champion endured a dramatic race at the Red Bull Ring, where a first-lap collision with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli led to his first DNF of the season. Despite the disappointment, Verstappen found solace in an emotional return to his family, where he was joined by his sister Victoria Verstappen and newborn daughter Lily. The moment marked a heartwarming turn in a weekend that had been intense both professionally and personally for the Dutch driver.
The Austrian Grand Prix started off promisingly for Verstappen, who started from P7 after a difficult qualifying session. However, in the chaos of the first lap, Antonelli, who locked his rear tyres while avoiding Liam Lawson, hit the back of Verstappen’s Red Bull. Both drivers were forced to retire from the race, a heavy blow for Verstappen, who now trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 61 points. The stewards handed Antonelli a three-place grid penalty for the next race, but the damage had been done for Verstappen. With McLaren’s dominance and Red Bull’s struggle to implement upgrades, the race was a bitter pill to swallow. Still, Verstappen managed to shift his focus to what really matters: his family.
Shortly after the race, Verstappen returned to Monaco, where he was reunited with his partner Kelly Piquet and their daughter Lily, who was born on the eve of the Miami Grand Prix in May 2025. The arrival of Lily, Verstappen and Piquet’s first child, has changed his life off the track. Verstappen, who is already a bonus father to Piquet’s daughter Penelope from her previous relationship with Daniil Kvyat, has openly shared how special it is to hold his own child. In an interview with Viaplay, he described the feeling with humour: “At first I thought it was like a chicken in the supermarket in its packaging, with that skin.” He emphasised how Lily’s good sleeping habits help him and Piquet, and how fatherhood has added a new dimension to his life.
Verstappen was joined on his return by his sister Victoria, a social media influencer and mother of three herself. Victoria, who recently announced her engagement to entrepreneur Tom Heuts, shared her excitement about meeting her niece Lily on social media, writing: “Can’t wait to see her.” Her presence in Monaco underscored the close-knit Verstappen family, which has played a pivotal role in Max’s career. Victoria’s children, along with Penelope and now Lily, have turned the Verstappen household into a bustling “zoo,” as Max jokingly put it. These family moments provide a counterbalance to the high-pressure nature of Formula 1, particularly in a season that has seen Red Bull struggle to keep pace with McLaren.
The clash in Austria and its aftermath have fueled speculation over Verstappen’s future. With his contract at Red Bull running until 2028 but with exit clauses, and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff interested for 2026, Verstappen faces crucial choices. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve suggested that Verstappen, like Lewis Hamilton in 2013, could consider a bold move to Mercedes, especially with new engine regulations looming. However, Verstappen has denied rumours of a sabbatical in 2026, stressing his intention to continue racing in Formula 1 until at least 2028. His focus now lies on the coming races, particularly the British Grand Prix, where he hopes to claw back points.
For Verstappen, returning to his family after the Austrian Grand Prix was a time of reflection and joy. Despite the professional setback, he found peace with Kelly, Lily and Victoria, who together form a warm home. The photos Piquet shared on Instagram, with Lily’s face deliberately obscured by a white heart, show the couple’s concern for their daughter’s privacy. This contrasts with the public exposure of Penelope, suggesting that Verstappen and Piquet are making a conscious choice for Lily’s future. As the Formula 1 caravan prepares for Silverstone, Verstappen’s determination remains undiminished, but it is clear that his family, with Lily as the newest addition, is his greatest source of strength.
