F1 world champ Max Verstappen celebrates becoming a dad

Four-time defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and partner Kelly Piquet have announced the arrival of their first child.

"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's activities at this weekend's Miami Grand Prix to be with his partner.

The announcement gave no further details about the birth.

Verstappen and Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, went public with their relationship in 2021.

She also has a daughter, Penelope, with driver Daniil Kvyat, but this was the first child for Verstappen.

The Dutchman, who has 64 career victories, has won the last four F1 titles but has won just once this season as McLaren have 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 McLaren's Lando Norris scored the first F1 victory of his career at this race last year.

Verstappen joins Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg as the only fathers on the current Formula One starting grid following the departures of Mexican Sergio Perez and Denmark's Kevin Magnussen.

Le Mans 24 Hours winner Hulkenberg, 37, told reporters in Miami that being a father had not slowed him down and had in fact been only beneficial for his racing.

"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 maximise," he said.

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

With Reuters