Max Verstappen is known for his blistering speed on the Formula 1 track. The Belgian-Dutch driver was the youngest driver ever to compete in F1, making his debut at the age of 17 in 2015. Verstappen won his first ever title of F1 in 2021 and they have already entered the top 10 sports. provisional winners list.
Through it all, Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet encouraged him. He often expresses his happiness over Verstappen’s success on social media, posting pictures of his victories and pictures of their adventures together.
In October 2022, Piquet published an article about Verstappen again after his second F1 title win. She shared a sweet photo on Instagram where she kissed Verstappen while holding his trophy. “He did it again ✌🏻⭐️⭐️,” he wrote in the caption. “World Champion ’21’22.”
Piquet is no stranger to the F1 lifestyle. His father, Nelson Piquet, and his brother, Nelson Piquet Jr., are both F1 drivers. Before dating Verstappen, she was also linked to compatriot Daniil Kvyat, who welcomed a daughter in 2019.
Who is Kelly Piquet?
Piquet was born in Germany in 1988. He spent his early years in the south of France with his mother, Dutch model Sylvia Tamsma, before moving to Brazil, his father’s native country, at the age of 12. While in high school, Piquet studied at a school in England but completed his final year in Brazil. After graduation, the 17-year-old headed to New York to pursue a degree at Marymount Manhattan College, focusing on international relations.
In November 2021, Piquet traveled to Brazil with Verstappen and his daughter Penelope. On Instagram, Piquet shared various photos from their trip, capturing moments such as Verstappen sitting next to his daughter during the trip.
In New York, Piquet ventured into the fashion industry, landing positions as an assistant model at Vogue Latin America and a buyer for Bergdorf Goodman. Following in her mother’s footsteps in the world of fashion, she has collaborated with famous brands such as Pepe Jeans, PatBo and Louis Vuitton. Piquet often shares glimpses of his modeling projects on Instagram, showing not only his professional endeavors but also sweet moments with his daughter and his travels alongside Verstappen.
In January 2023, Piquet graced the cover of Vogue Holland, inspired by Formula 1, and spoke about his upbringing in the world of motor racing. “This world knows me very well; I know what these people are going through,” he explained in his interview. The model further explained why her life is not only about Verstappen’s career.
Piquet comes from an illustrious Formula 1 heritage, with his father, Nelson, being a prominent F1 driver in the 1980s. Nelson Piquet, a three-time world champion, is recognized as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.
In June 2022, the F1 community witnessed a momentous event when seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton took to Twitter to call out Nelson. This happened after a 2021 interview emerged in which the retired driver used racist language against Hamilton. Later, Nelson Piquet was reportedly banned from the F1 paddock following the controversy.
She has a child with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat: She has a 4-year-old daughter
In July 2019, Piquet welcomed a daughter, Penelope, with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who she was dating at the time. A day after Penelope’s birth, Kvyat scored his first podium in three years after finishing third at the German Grand Prix. The driver dedicated his racing success to Piquet and their young children.
Piquet often shares photos of his daughter, calling Penelope “a star” and “a ray of sunshine.” In July 2022, Piquet shared several photos from Penelope’s third birthday party, including an adorable photo of the two daughters posing with Verstappen in front of a beautiful mermaid cake.
Professional racing runs in his family
Professional racing runs deep in the Piquet family, immersing them in the world of high-speed racing. His father, the famous Nelson Piquet, aged 71, is a former racing driver who won the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1981, 1983 and 1987.
Adding to the family’s sporting legacy, Piquet’s brother, Nelson Piquet Jr., 38, is an accomplished stock car driver. He has not only competed in Formula 1 and NASCAR, but also in the electric world of Formula E.
Piquet’s first memories were made on the circuit, an event he shared with Vogue Holland in December 2022. His Instagram account sometimes features pictures of his father, Nelson Piquet, in interesting pictures. In the heartwarming photo taken in August 2020, the father can be seen delicately balancing the infant, possibly Penelope, on his lap, while the little one holds the steering wheel of a vintage racing car.
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