Red Bull Racing's reigning Formula 1 superstar, Max Verstappen, has fully embraced the holiday spirit, taking a well-deserved break to celebrate Christmas and New Year with his family. The four-time world champion enjoyed festive moments at his new residence, marking a special first Christmas for his seven-month-old daughter, Lily.
A Family Celebration in the New Home
Verstappen's partner, Kelly Piquet, offered fans a heartwarming glimpse into their private celebrations through her Instagram Stories. The festivities held extra significance as they were the family's first Christmas in their new home. Piquet shared a snapshot of a beautifully decorated dining table set with Christmas-themed cutlery, captioning it, "First X-mas in new home."
Piquet also posted adorable pictures of their daughter, Lily, who is now in the phase of learning to walk. One charming image showed the infant holding a pearl bracelet in her tiny hands. In a playful reveal, Piquet shared a photo of Verstappen holding up a graphic T-shirt, which appeared to be his Christmas gift. The bold design perfectly captured the driver's personality, featuring an image of him smoking a cigarette, wearing funky glasses, holding a trophy, and making a cheeky gesture.
Verstappen's Off-Track Adventures and F1 Future
Just before the holiday break, Verstappen was indulging in his other racing passion. He posted photos from a GT3 race on Instagram, hinting at his future plans with the caption, "Bit of fun before the break, looking forward to 2026." This aligns with the announcement that his team, Verstappen Racing, has entered a collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport for the upcoming GT3 season, opening a new chapter outside Formula 1.
In a significant update for F1 fans, Verstappen confirmed a major change for his return to the Grand Prix grid. The Dutch driver will no longer race with the iconic number '1' or his previous number '33'. In his year-end interview with Viaplay, Verstappen announced, "It won't be number 33. My favourite number has always been 3, apart from number 1. We can now swap, so it’ll be number 3." He explained his preference for a single digit, stating, "I just like one 3 better than two." The number '1' will now be used by the new world champion, Lando Norris.
Gearing Up for a Crucial Season Ahead
Verstappen's break comes before a highly anticipated return to competition. The 2026 F1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in March. The upcoming championship holds added weight for Verstappen, as he narrowly missed securing his fifth world title this year, losing the crown to McLaren's Lando Norris by a mere two points. This sets the stage for one of the most closely watched seasons of his career as he aims to reclaim the top spot.
After enjoying quality time with Kelly and Lily, and even a fun drive in a Mercedes-AMG to get home for the holidays, Verstappen is now refocused. The champion driver is set to return with a new car number and renewed determination when the lights go out in Melbourne.
