Max Verstappen daughter tipped for F1 future: 'Look at the bloodlines'

Christian Horner has joked that Max Verstappen's newborn daughter has the perfect "bloodlines" to be a success in Formula 1. 

The four-time world champion missed media day ahead of the Miami Grand Prix following the birth of his and his partner's Kelly Piquet's daughter, Lily. 

Verstappen was at the Miami International Autodrome in time for first practice, meaning no on-track action was missed by the Dutchman. 

The 27-year-old was welcomed into the paddock by several messages of congratulations, including from the Red Bull team principal.

"It's great news for Max and Kelly and their family," Horner told Sky F1. "It's great, it's really a big thing becoming a father. And Max is super proud, and rightly so."

Following the birth of Verstappen's daughter, the question has already been asked whether she is destined for a future in motorsport. 

The last female driver to start an F1 race was Lella Lombardi in 1976, whilst the last to enter a grand prix was Giovanna Amati in 1992.

Horner pointed out that his star driver's daughter comes from a mix of remarkable bloodlines, with Verstappen and Piquet's father, Nelson, having seven F1 drivers' titles between them.

"I've been getting into horses over the last few years, you look at the bloodlines," said Horner. "That's what it's all about. You look at the DNA of like, of a Verstappen and a Piquet. 

"There's, what, Seven world championships between them. It might not be a bad thing!