Max Verstappen has recently been in the spotlight following a significant crash during the qualifying race for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, which necessitated a thorough medical examination of his hands. Known for his candid opinions on Formula 1, Verstappen also shares a personal life that has drawn public interest, particularly his relationship with Kelly Piquet, his girlfriend of several years.
Kelly Piquet is the daughter of three-time F1 champion, Nelson Piquet, and has a familial connection to motorsport, with her brother, Nelson Piquet Jr., also competing in Formula 1. Since going public with their relationship, Kelly has been a strong supporter of Verstappen during races. In 2025, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lily.
Before her relationship with Verstappen, Kelly was with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, with whom she shares a daughter named Penelope. Born in Germany in 1988, she has worked as a model and previously served as an assistant at Vogue Latin America. Recently, she has modeled for high-profile brands, including PatBo and Louis Vuitton, and made her debut in Vogue Netherlands in 2022.
The couple’s relationship began when they met during a group dinner in Monaco in 2016, where Kelly was attending with her brother, then also a racecar driver. At that time, she was involved with Kvyat, and they welcomed their daughter in 2019. Following her separation from Kvyat in 2020, she reconnected with Verstappen, and their romance blossomed.
In an emotional Instagram post commemorating their journey together, Kelly reflected on her relationship with Max. She recalled their first meeting in 2016, jesting that he declared she was “the love of his life” the following day. Now, five years later, they celebrate not only their commitment but also the joy of parenthood.
While there is a notable age difference—Kelly is nine years older than Max, being 37 to his 28—this has not gone unnoticed by fans, leading to some backlash. Some supporters have come to Kelly’s defense, emphasizing that their relationship began well after Max reached adulthood. Kelly has addressed these comments directly, clarifying the timeline and affirming that their bond developed later on.
The relationship between Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet continues to capture the interest of fans, blending the worlds of motorsport and modeling while navigating the challenges of public scrutiny.