Whether you’re a dedicated Formula 1 fan, a follower of Drive to Survive, or simply here because you have seen one of the many TikTok thirst traps of the drivers, odds are you have heard of Max Verstappen.
With four World Championships under his belt, the 27-year-old Belgian-Dutch racing driver is kind of a big deal. Despite dominating the sport for the last four years, the reigning #1 has started to hint at his retirement, leaving fans to keep a close eye on his life outside the track.
While his fifth driver’s championship win may be at the top of his F1 list for 2025, Max revealed ahead of the final race of the 2024 season that he will soon be adding the title of dad to his long list of accolades.
As the couple prepare to welcome their first child, we take a closer look at Max’s relationship with girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
Does Max Verstappen have a girlfriend?
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yes, Max Verstappen does have a girlfriend.
The Red Bull driver is currently in a relationship with Brazillian model Kelly Piquet.
The couple hard-launched their relationship on New Year’s Day in 2021, with Max writing to Instagram, “Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways. Wishing you all success, love, and happiness just as I found mine,” alongside a cute selfie of him and Kelly.
Fans of Max and Kelly’s romance were briefly sent into a social media spiral in June 2023 after speculation sparked that the couple had split after Kelly seemingly removed her Instagram highlight dedicated to Max.
Fortunately, Kelly was quick to dispel any speculation as she took to social media to celebrate her boyfriend’s performance at the 2023 Montreal Grand Prix.
Despite Max and Kelly being spotted frequently together at race weekends, the couple have only shared a rare handful of comments about their romance.
Speaking to German publication Blick at the end of the 2023 season, Max shared that the couple were in no rush to get married, saying, “I don’t know. Time will tell. 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 could all happen spontaneously… The right day will come when we feel like we can put our relationship on paper.”
In January of that year, Kelly also gave an insight into her relationship with Max and the world of Formula 1, telling Vogue Netherlands, “This world is so familiar to me. I know what those guys are going through… Ultimately, this is Max’s job. Would you normally bring your girlfriend or partner to the office?”
“I want to wake up every day with the feeling, ‘Today, I am going to achieve something,’ otherwise you will lose your strength, your energy, your light. I am a happy and grateful person.”
Who is Kelly Piquet?
Kelly is no stranger to the world of Formula 1, with the 36-year-old being the daughter of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet.
In June 2022, Nelson made headlines following the distribution of a 2021 interview in which the former driver made racist remarks against Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Nelson was subsequently fined $1.4 million for collective moral damages and reportedly issued a lifetime ban from the Formula 1 paddock.
Kelly was also previously in a relationship with Max’s former Red Bull teammate Danil Kvyat. Kelly and Danil began dating in January 2017, with Kelly welcoming their daughter Penelope in July 2019.
Does Max Verstappen have children?
In December 2024, Max revealed that he and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet were expecting their first child together.
“Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️ We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle 💫,” he captioned the announcement on Instagram, with fans and fellow drivers quickly taking to the comments to share their congratulations.
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max continued to share his excitement in the paddock, telling reporters, “I’m already kind of a bonus dad, but I’m still very excited” – referencing his close relationship with Kelly’s daughter Penelope.
Who has Max Verstappen dated?
Dilara Sanlik (2017-2020)
Max was previously in a relationship with German student Dilara Sanlik.
While there is very little information available surrounding the couple’s relationship, it has been reported that Max and Dilara started dating in early 2017.
Throughout their relationship, the couple kept their romance largely out of the public eye however, Dilara did make a rare handful of appearances in the paddock, with fans uncovering multiple photos of her alongside Max at various race weekends.
It is believed that the couple parted ways in late 2020, with Max confirming to RTL at the time that he was no longer in a relationship.
Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky (2014-2016)
Max’s first public relationship was with Swedish Extreme E driver Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky.
Although there is very little public information surrounding the timeline of the couple’s relationship, it is believed that Max and Mikaela began dating following his 2014 debut in Formula 1 with Red Bull’s sister team, Torro Rosso.
While the specifics of the couple’s split are unknown, fans believe that Max and Mikaela parted ways in late 2016.
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