'That is why' - Max Verstappen reveals the reason he won't let his daughter attend F1 in honest admission

Max Verstappen has opened up on why he refuses to allow his daughter to attend Formula One races as he spoke candidly about fatherhood.

Verstappen, who is in a relationship with Kelly Piquet, became a father to daughter Lily in 2025.

The Dutchman is already a step-father to Piquet's daughter Penelope from a previous relationship and is already making a conscious effort to keep Lily out of the limelight.

Verstappen himself was in the public eye from a young age with his dad Jos being an F1 driver. He too was soon involved in motorsport and followed in his father's footsteps - surpassing him by becoming a four-time world champion in F1.

While he will not push his daughter in any direction, he is aware of the benefits of partaking in sport as a youngster.

"For me, the most important thing is: always be yourself," Verstappen said in an interview with De Telegraaf.

"And as far as I’m concerned, she is free to decide for herself what she enjoys doing later on.

"There are many parents who push their child and want to steer them in a certain direction, for example regarding sports. That is exactly what you shouldn’t do. I think you can introduce a child to certain sports, but ultimately they have to choose for themselves what they want to do."

READ MORE: 'Very anti-racing' - Max Verstappen slams F1 power units as he makes 'minimum' demand for next season

He continued: "Although practicing sports is generally good. To stay healthy and it also keeps you off the streets. You are less likely to do stupid things then. In addition, I think it is important to be kind to your family. And to sometimes stop and think that not everyone will be around forever."

Verstappen's other half, the daughter of F1 veteran Nelson Piquet, regularly supports him at F1 races all over the world and was in attendance for the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month,

However, he has no intention of having Lily in the paddock because of concerns about privacy, something which also ties in with him being cautious when it comes to posting her on social media.

"Certainly, I am working on that as well," Verstappen said in regards to posting his child on social media.

"I don't want her in the picture right now. She has to decide for herself later whether she wants that or not.

"That is why I don't want her in the paddock now. Firstly, because she won't remember it later anyway, but also with privacy in mind. A baby or young child should lead a carefree life."

Verstappen has had a difficult start to the 2026 F1 season and even spoke about retiring from the sport because he is not enjoying racing under new regulations.

The 28-year-old, who completed in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race, said it is "not mentally not doable for me to stay like this" after taking issue with the new engines.

He is desperate for the planned changes involving energy management reduction to come into play and said it would return F1 “almost back to normal".

Last time out at the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen finally got his first podium on the board when he finished third behind Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton in Montreal.

Second to Lando Norris in last season's season, Verstappen is currently seventh on 53 points going into the Monaco Grand Prix.