A look at Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's relationship timeline, family life, children and key moments in their Formula 1 journey.
Max Verstappen is known for speed, titles, and big race wins. But away from the track, his personal life has also caught attention. His relationship with Kelly Piquet has grown slowly and steadily over the years. They come from strong racing families, they met years before dating, and today they share a life that includes family, travel, and now a child together. From a quiet first meeting in Monaco to becoming parents in 2025, their story has moved step by step without much noise, but with strong support for each other.
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet first met in 2016 in Monaco. It was a simple meeting over dinner with Kelly’s brother, Nelson Piquet Jr. At that time, nothing serious started between them. Kelly was older, and both were in different phases of life. Things changed in 2020. Kelly had ended her relationship with Daniil Kvyat, with whom she shares a daughter named, Penelope, born in July 2019. After the split, Kelly and Max grew closer and began dating the same year.
By January 2021, they made things public. Max shared a New Year's photo with Kelly, confirming their relationship. From there, they started appearing together more often, both online and at events. Their bond stood out because both understand racing life. Max is the son of Jos Verstappen, while Kelly is the daughter of Nelson Piquet. This shared background helped them connect better and handle the busy F1 schedule.
As Max Verstappen’s career reached new highs, Kelly Piquet was often seen supporting him. In December 2021, when Max won his first Formula 1 world title, Kelly celebrated the moment publicly. It was a big step not just in his career but also in their relationship, showing how closely she followed his journey. In 2022, Max won his second title, and Kelly was again there, celebrating with him after the race. Their public moments were not frequent, but when they appeared, they showed a strong connection. That same year, the couple also faced a difficult moment linked to Kelly’s father, Nelson Piquet. He used a term in an interview while referring to Lewis Hamilton, which led to backlash.
Lewis Hamilton responded clearly, saying, “It’s more than language. These are archaic mindsets that need to change and have no place in our sport.” The issue became widely discussed in Formula 1. Nelson Piquet later gave a statement to CNN, saying his words were misunderstood and not meant to offend. He explained the term was used casually in Brazilian Portuguese but admitted it was wrong in this context and apologised. Max Verstappen also spoke about it. He said his father-in-law was not racist but accepted that the words used were not right and should not be repeated. Through this period, Max and Kelly stayed together and avoided unnecessary public drama.
Beyond racing, their relationship is built around family. Kelly Piquet’s daughter, Penelope, has been an important part of their life. Max has often shown care and warmth toward her, which Kelly has openly appreciated. In December 2022, Kelly shared in an interview with Vogue Netherlands that their relationship works because it is simple and understanding. She said they support each other and manage the age gap well. This gave a rare look into how they handle life privately.
Over the next two years, they continued sharing small glimpses of their life. From Monaco outings to quiet celebrations, their relationship stayed steady. In February 2023 and February 2024, they posted photos together on Valentine’s Day, showing their bond without saying much. In August 2024, Max shared another photo of them together, again keeping things low-key. But a big update came in December 2024. The couple announced that they were expecting a child. They shared the news with maternity photos and a short message, confirming a new chapter in their lives.
In May 2025, they welcomed their daughter, Lily. They shared the news through a joint post, introducing their child to the world. It marked a major step, turning their relationship into a family of four, including Penelope. Today, Max Verstappen continues to race at the highest level in Formula 1, while Kelly Piquet balances family life and her work. Their relationship has moved from a quiet meeting in 2016 to building a home together. Their journey has stayed steady from the start. There have been no sudden turns or loud moments, just a clear move from meeting to dating, standing by each other, and now raising a child together.
What are your thoughts on Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet's relationship timeline and their journey into family life?
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