Love, Legacy, and the Paddock: The Emotional Story of Max Verstappen’s Girlfriends
There are few places on earth where love, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of speed collide as dramatically as in Formula 1. But even in this rarefied world, the story of Max Verstappen’s girlfriends—especially his relationship with Kelly Piquet—stands out for its emotional complexity, its intergenerational glamour, and its very modern vulnerability. Today, as the world’s eyes remain fixed on Verstappen’s every move both on and off the track, we take a deep dive into the women who have shaped, supported, and sometimes challenged the reigning king of F1.
The Piquet-Verstappen Power Couple: Racing Royalty Meets Modern Romance
Let’s begin with the present, because in 2025, the Verstappen-Piquet partnership is not just a relationship—it’s a phenomenon. Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, is herself a model, influencer, and a woman who breathes motorsport. Their romance, now in its fifth year, has blossomed into a modern F1 fairytale, complete with a new baby girl, Lily, born just before the Miami Grand Prix.
Kelly’s recent Instagram post, cradling Lily in a white gown, is the very image of maternal serenity.
Just a little over a month since my heart experienced for the second time the most amazing love in the world. Words can’t describe what it is to feel a love so profound. Becoming a mother again has reminded me of the beauty, strength and softness that live within us. Thank you my little one for choosing me.
Kelly Piquet
Verstappen’s mother Sophie Kumpen replied,
Sweet Lily, we love you so much.
Sophie Kumpen
This is not just a love story—it’s a story of legacy, resilience, and the unique pressures of living in the F1 spotlight.
From the Pit Lane to the Catwalk: Kelly Piquet’s Fashion and F1 Pedigree
Kelly Piquet is no mere WAG (wives and girlfriends, for the uninitiated). She is a style icon in her own right, with a CV that includes modeling for Louis Vuitton, working at Vogue Latin America, and gracing the cover of Vogue Netherlands in an F1-inspired shoot. Her Instagram is a masterclass in understated luxury—think silk blouses, tailored blazers, and the kind of effortless chic that only comes from a childhood spent between the South of France, Brazil, and the paddocks of Europe.
But Kelly’s connection to F1 runs deeper than fashion. As she told Portuguese broadcaster TVI,
I breathe motorsport. It’s something that comes naturally to me. And in the end, I’ve started a family with an F1 driver. Well, not married yet, but we’ve started a family. It wasn’t planned on purpose. I’ve had several relationships with men who weren’t in that field, but it was just meant to be.
Kelly Piquet
Her presence at races is both supportive and strategic—she knows the game, the politics, and the pressure. She is, in every sense, Verstappen’s equal.
Blended Families and Online Battles: The Human Side of the Paddock
The Verstappen-Piquet story is also a story of blended families and the challenges of public life. Kelly was already a mother to Penelope, her daughter with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, before she met Max. The modern F1 paddock is a small world, and the fact that Verstappen is now a bonus dad to Penelope is a testament to the maturity and grace with which both he and Kelly have navigated their relationship.
But with visibility comes vulnerability. Both Kelly and Max have been targets of online abuse and false rumors—a dark side of fame that is all too familiar in the social media age. Earlier this year, Kelly lashed out at trolls on Instagram:
As a human being, the comments and hate affect me and the people around me deeply. I hope this serves as a reminder for people to verify online content before making threats. I hope those of you who have contributed to this take a moment to reflect on the real-life consequences of spreading lies and engaging in hate.
Kelly Piquet
Max, ever the protective partner, added:
This has to stop. These false accusations by certain individuals on Instagram and TikTok are insane and ridiculous at the same time. Hate has no place in this world. We know what’s true within our family and we are very happy together. I love you.
Max Verstappen
Their united front is a reminder that, even in the most glamorous of worlds, real love is forged in adversity.
The Ex-Files: A Look Back at Verstappen’s Past Loves
Before Kelly, Verstappen’s romantic life was less public but no less interesting. His ex-girlfriends include Swedish racing driver Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, Belgian model Joyce Godefridi, Dutch beauty blogger Roos van der Aa, hockey player Maxime Pourquie, and German model Dilara Sanlik. Most of these relationships were brief, and several of the women were older than Max—a detail that has not gone unnoticed by the ever-watchful F1 press.
Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, for example, is a successful racer in her own right, currently competing in the Extreme E Championship. Joyce Godefridi is a model and entrepreneur with her own lingerie line. These women are not just pretty faces—they are accomplished, ambitious, and, in their own ways, part of the F1 ecosystem.
But none captured the public imagination quite like Kelly Piquet, whose combination of racing pedigree, fashion sense, and emotional intelligence has made her the ultimate F1 partner.
The Monaco Effect: Love, Luxury, and the F1 Lifestyle
No discussion of Verstappen’s love life would be complete without mentioning Monaco—the spiritual home of F1 glamour. It’s here, amid the superyachts and the diamond-studded soirées, that the Verstappen-Piquet romance often plays out in public. The Monaco Grand Prix is not just a race; it’s a catwalk, a society event, and a showcase for the world’s most beautiful people.
Kelly’s style at Monaco is always impeccable—think Chanel tweed, oversized sunglasses, and a touch of old-money elegance. She is often seen mingling with celebrities, royalty, and fellow F1 wives and girlfriends, her presence as much a part of the spectacle as the race itself.
For Verstappen, Monaco is both a professional challenge and a personal celebration—a place where his two worlds collide in the most glamorous way possible.
A New Chapter: Fatherhood and the Future
The birth of Lily marks a new chapter for Verstappen and Piquet—a chapter that is both deeply personal and profoundly public. Verstappen, who missed the media day at the Miami Grand Prix to be with his newborn daughter, spoke candidly about the experience:
Luckily, I got to spend a few days with them once she was born. I’m kind of like a bonus dad already with my girlfriend having a daughter, so I saw her grow up since she was one.
Max Verstappen
Fatherhood has not slowed Verstappen down—if anything, it has given him a new sense of purpose. As he told the press after Miami,
Clearly, it didn’t make me slower being a dad, so that’s a positive. So we can throw that out of the window as well, for people mentioning it. I don’t really listen to these kind of silly things, I just do my thing.
Max Verstappen
The Fashion of F1 Love: Style, Substance, and the Modern WAG
In the world of F1, fashion is more than just clothes—it’s a statement of identity, power, and belonging. Kelly Piquet’s style is a masterclass in this art, blending Brazilian sensuality with European sophistication. She favors brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Chanel, but always with a personal twist—think bold jewelry, silk scarves, and the occasional nod to her racing heritage.
But Kelly is not alone. The F1 paddock is a veritable runway, with wives and girlfriends like Carmen Montero Mundt (George Russell’s partner), Charlotte Sine (Charles Leclerc’s ex), and Isa Hernaez (Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend) all bringing their own unique flair to the scene. Together, they form a sisterhood of style, strength, and solidarity—a reminder that behind every great driver is a woman who is, in her own way, racing for her own dreams.
The Online Buzz
The Verstappen-Piquet love story is not just lived in the paddock—it’s lived online, where every post, photo, and comment is dissected by millions of fans. Here are some of the most talked-about moments and links from the past month:
- Emotional coverage of the Verstappen-Piquet relationship and their new family: Express article
- YouTube feature on the inside story of Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet: Watch here
- Facebook post with Verstappen’s mother’s reaction to Lily’s birth: See here
- In-depth look at Kelly Piquet’s life and career: Wikipedia
- Recent interview with Kelly Piquet on starting a family with Verstappen: Times of India
