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Updated Oct 14, 2024Who Is Max Verstappen's Girlfriend, Kelly Piquet? Inside the F1 Driver's Romance
The power couple welcomed their first child together in May 2025.
Photo: Mark Thompson | Getty Images
Max Verstappen is widely regarded as one of the best Formula One racecar drivers today, but he hasn't risen to the top alone. The Belgian and Dutch racer, who competes for Red Bull, made history as the youngest F1 driver of all time, marking his debut at just 17 years old. Since then, the 27-year-old has gone on to win four F1 World Drivers' Championship titles, securing his ranking as one of the top 10 all-time winners.
So, who is Max Verstappen's girlfriend, Kelly Piquet? His romantic partner also has ties to the world of Formula One: Her father, Nelson Piquet, and brother, Nelson Piquet Jr., are both F1 racers as well. After taking their romance public in 2021, Piquet has been a constant supporter of Verstappen's career, often cheering him on both on social media and from the stands at Grand Prix events around the world. The pair welcomed their first child together in May 2025, a daughter named Lily, who may soon appear at her dad's competitions too.
We take a deep dive into Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's romance here, breaking down exactly how they met and when they began dating. Plus, see everything Verstappen has said about their future wedding.
Is Max Verstappen married?
- While he's not yet married, Max Verstappen is dating Kelly Piquet. They have been together since 2020 and took their relationship public in 2021.
- Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet met in Monaco during a group dinner with her brother, fellow F1 racer Nelson Piquet Jr.
- Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet welcomed their first child together, daughter Lily, in May 2025. Piquet has another daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship.
In this article:
- Who Is Max Verstappen's Girlfriend, Kelly Piquet?
- How Max Verstappen and Girlfriend Kelly Piquet Met
- Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's Relationship Timeline
Who Is Max Verstappen's Girlfriend, Kelly Piquet?
Photo: Peter Fox / Getty Images
Max Verstappen's girlfriend is Kelly Piquet, a 36-year-old model. Born in Germany in 1988, Piquet was raised in France before relocating to Brazil. She studied international relations at Marymount Manhattan College in New York.
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Before kickstarting her career as a model, Max Verstappen's girlfriend held a few roles in the fashion industry. Not only was she a buyer for Bergdorf Goodman, she also worked as an assistant at Vogue Latin America. Piquet appeared on the cover of Vogue Netherlands in 2022 and has modeled for brands like PatBo and Louis Vuitton.
How Max Verstappen and Girlfriend Kelly Piquet Met
Photo: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Considering their deep ties to the racing industry, it won't come as a surprise that F1 brought this couple together. Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet met in 2016 during a group dinner in Monaco with her brother, fellow racecar driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
At the time, Piquet was in a relationship with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. They welcomed a daughter, Penelope, in 2019, but split later that year. She reconnected with Verstappen after the break-up, and they began dating in 2020.
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's Relationship Timeline
After their 2016 introduction blossomed into romance, Kelly Piquet has been a constant supporter of Max Verstappen's career. In fact, she's been by his side for each Formula One World Drivers' Championship title win from 2021 through 2024. Here's a look inside this famous couple's relationship timeline, including what they've said about the timing for a future engagement.
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2016: Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet Meet
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet were friendly for years before they began dating. The two met during a dinner party with her brother in 2016. Although she was with her ex at the time, Piquet opened up about meeting Verstappen in a 2022 interview with Vogue Netherlands, saying, "Something magical happened that night."
2020: Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet Begin Dating
While we don't know exactly when their platonic relationship shifted, Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet quietly began dating in 2020.
2021: Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet Make Their Romance IG Official
The racecar driver rang in 2021 on a high note, using the holiday to announce his romance with Piquet. "Happy New Year everyone! 🥳🥳🥳 Let's make 2021 a year to remember in many ways," he captioned a photo of them on the beach. "Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine ❤️."
Piquet hard-launched their relationship on her social media as well, writing, "Love is what makes the world go round. Happy new year and much love."
2023: Max Verstappen Opens Up About Marriage
Are Max Verstappen and his girlfriend ready for marriage? The answer is yes…just not quite yet. In a December 2023 interview with German publication Blick, the racer was asked about his future plans with his girlfriend, including a potential walk down the aisle. "Marry? I? Now you have publicly pressured me to give a date! I don't know, time will tell," he explained in a translated version via Sportskeeda. "At the moment I'm very, very happy with Kelly, but personally, I don't have a timetable for when I'll get on my knees in front of her. This should all happen spontaneously."
He continued, "Like I said, I don't know. The right day will come when we feel like we can put our relationship on paper."
December 2024: Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet Announce They're Expecting
Three years after taking their romance public, Max Verstappen and his girlfriend announced that their little family was growing. "Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way," the couple captioned a joint photo on Instagram. "We couldn't be happier with our little miracle 💫."
May 2025: Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen's Daughter is Born
Piquet and Verstappen's daughter was born in May 2025. The couple shared the first photos of their newborn on Instagram, writing, "Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much 💗." In the sweet black-and-white photos, the parents could be seen holding their baby's tiny hand and cradling her in the hospital. Just one month later, Piquet honored Verstappen's milestone first Father's Day. "Happy Father's Day to the best I could ask for," she captioned a collection of photos on social media, which showed Verstappen with their newborn, Lily, and her daughter Penelope from a previous relationship.
