‘You’ve got to get involved in the nappies’ – Horner offers advice to new dad Verstappen as he predicts how fatherhood will affect him

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has shared some words of advice for Max Verstappen after the Dutchman welcomed his first child, with the Team Principal also suggesting that fatherhood will not have an impact on Verstappen’s performance on track but will make life “very different” off it.

Verstappen was absent from Thursday’s media activities ahead of the Miami Grand Prix due to expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet, and the news was subsequently confirmed on Friday that the couple had welcomed a daughter named Lily.

Later on in the day, Horner was asked about the advice he would offer to Verstappen as the World Champion embarks on life as a new parent.

“He’s going to be a very present father, I’m sure,” Horner responded. “You’ve got to get involved with the nappies, in the middle of the night, all of that. It’s the most wonderful thing, welcoming a new addition to any family.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull — Verstappen and Piquet have welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Lily

“Life will be very different for him now, in many respects, as a parent.”

Reflecting further on the new arrival’s motorsport lineage – given that Piquet is the daughter of three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet – Horner added: “But I’m just thinking – the genes of that child are quite incredible.

“When you think of Verstappen and Piquet – if it was a racehorse, it’d be worth a fortune! But yeah, it’s going to make life a little different for him.”

Pushed on whether becoming a dad could have an effect on Verstappen’s performance in the car, Horner suggested that he did not see this being the case.

‘If that baby was a racehorse… it’s got incredible genes!’ – Horner on the birth of Verstappen’s first child

“I don’t think so,” the Briton explained. “He’s a pretty measured guy. He’s got a stepdaughter as well. He’s just very measured. He enjoys family life and for him it’s business as usual.

“He’s proud, of course. It’s a great thing for him and Kelly to welcome a baby girl – a different achievement and perspective in life – but it’s great for him and for his family.”

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And, looking into the distant future, Horner gave his take on whether Lily may one day become the next Monegasque to drive in Formula 1.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he answered. “Why not a woman? As I was saying earlier, the pedigree of that little girl is quite phenomenal. There’ll be a rush to sign an option on her, no doubt. But yeah – why not?”