Max Verstappen skips F1 movie premiere to be with newborn daughter

Max Verstappen has decided to skip the Formula 1 movie premiere — the Red Bull driver chose to return home after finishing second in Canadian GP to be with his daughter, Lily, who was born in early May.

“I’m going home to my daughter. Maybe I’ll watch the film later if the timing is right or if someone wants to watch it with me. Perhaps I’ll be positively surprised,” said Verstappen.

“I sincerely hope it’s a good and successful film that has a positive effect on Formula 1. But you shouldn’t force me to go somewhere — that’s not how it should be,” he added.

The Dutch driver also missed the private screening of the film before Monaco GP for the same reason. Verstappen and his partner, Kelly Piquet, welcomed their first child together about six weeks ago.

“Clearly being a dad hasn’t made me slower — that’s positive. I don’t listen to these silly things, I just focus on what I do,” Verstappen responded to speculation about his performance.

The 27-year-old driver maintains communication with his family — he regularly talks with Kelly via FaceTime and receives pictures of his daughter while at the circuit.