Who is Kelly Piquet, Max Verstappen’s girlfriend? The Brazilian model is dating the 2021 Formula One World Championship winner, but also has a daughter with Russian driver Daniil Kvyat

Dec 14 , 2021

A thing for drivers? Piquet previously dated Russian F1 star Daniil Kvyat – she’s also the daughter of former world champion Nelson Piquet and Dutch model Sylvia Tamsma

Mother of daughter Penelope, Piquet has carved her own name as an influencer, modelling for APM Monaco, Pepe Jeans, PatBo and Lucas Boccalão, and worked for Vogue and Marie Claire

When Belgian-Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday – claiming his first Formula One championship after controversially beating Britain’s Lewis Hamilton on the final lap – he naturally ran into his stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet’s arms to celebrate his last-gasp victory.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen arrives at the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet, ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which made him champion on December 12. Photo: Reuters

As the world witnessed the 24-year-old’s legendary win, many were curious about the 33-year-old Brazilian beauty who had swept the wunderkind off his feet. The lovebirds officially announced their relationship at the beginning of 2021 after they spent the New Year’s holiday together in Dubai with Piquet’s family. So, what do we know about Kelly?

She is Formula One royalty

Kelly Piquet with her father Nelson Photo: @kellypiquet/Instagram

If her last name sounds familiar, you are right – Kelly Piquet is the daughter of the Brazilian three-time world champion driver Nelson Piquet. Born in 1988, Kelly grew up around the sport with her Dutch mother (also a former model) Sylvia Tamsma and her two siblings. Her older brother, Nelson Angelo Piquet, is a former Formula E and Formula One driver, while her younger sister Julia Piquet works at Motorsport.com and is dating Nascar driver Daniel Suarez, according to Essentially Sports.

She grew up on several different continents

Model and media professional Kelly Piquet, girlfriend of Formula One World Champion, Max Verstappen. Photo: @kellypiquet/Instagram

Born in Homburg, Germany, the 33-year-old has lived around the globe. She spent most of her childhood in the south of France, then moved back to Brazil between the ages of 12 and 15. Piquet was also briefly at boarding school in England before she relocated to New York City, where she graduated from the Marymount Manhattan College, majoring in international relations. With her global exposure, Piquet speaks English, French and Portuguese.

The epitome of beauty with brains

Kelly Piquet is a Brazilian-born, and German and Dutch-raised, model and media professional now living in Monaco. Photo: @kellypiquet/Instagram