After spending time with his newborn daughter Lily, Max Verstappen has admitted that being away from home is one of the hardest aspects of his racing career.
The four-time world champion welcomed his first child with partner Kelly Piquet. While Verstappen has been working towards his next title in Formula 1, he admits that the toughest times are now before he even gets to the track.
The Red Bull star was honest about the tough 'goodbye' he had to endure before heading to the race weekend.
Verstappen Shares Heartfelt Moment With Daughter
Verstappen acknowledged that the reality of travelling has become a lot more emotional since he became a father.
The Red Bull driver said, "Yes, I'm starting to feel it now. This morning, before I left for here, the little one was saying goodbye to me near the elevator at home… then the doors closed. It wasn't a nice feeling."
(Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)
He added, "She had just woken up. I took her out of her crib, hugged her, and then I had to leave. These aren't easy moments when you have to go."
Despite spending much of the season traveling across the globe, Verstappen acknowledged this is simply part of life for a Formula 1 driver.
Childhood Memories Help Verstappen Understand His Father
The four-time champion also announced that he has a newfound appreciation for his own childhood and the sacrifices his father, former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, made.
Verstappen said, "I know this is part of life. And I went through the same thing when I was little and my dad would leave the house."
Verstappen remembered how those losses impacted him as a kid. Furthermore, he added, "I would cry, and my dad always found it tough."
The comments offer a rare look into Verstappen's personal life, as the Dutchman is typically tight-lipped about his family life. His competitive drive hasn't changed a bit since he got into the Red Bull, but fatherhood has certainly brought a new emotional challenge off the track.
As Formula 1's demanding calendar continues, Verstappen admits saying goodbye to Lily may never get easier. However, it has given him an even greater appreciation for what his own father experienced throughout his racing career.