“Is He Playing the Victim Again?” — Kelly Piquet’s Explosive Swipe at Lewis Hamilton Ignites F1 Firestorm After Verstappen Collision

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL — Formula One has been thrown into another social media storm after Kelly Piquet, girlfriend of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, took a public swipe at Lewis Hamilton following his controversial penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Piquet, 35, made headlines across the racing world after posting a cryptic message that appeared to mock Hamilton’s reaction to his post-race penalty — one that cost the seven-time world champion what would have been his first podium of the season.

Her words were blunt — and brutal.

“Is he playing the victim again?” she wrote, accompanied by a shrug emoji.

Within minutes, the comment exploded online, drawing thousands of reactions and reigniting long-standing tensions between Hamilton’s fanbase and the Verstappen camp.

The Collision That Sparked It All

The drama unfolded during Lap 37 of the Brazilian Grand Prix, when Hamilton and Verstappen came together while battling for third place at Interlagos.

Hamilton, attempting an overtake on the inside, clipped Verstappen’s Red Bull at Turn 4. The impact sent Hamilton’s Mercedes bouncing across the curbs, while Verstappen briefly skidded off-track before recovering to finish second behind Lando Norris.

The collision was investigated immediately, and after a 25-minute review, the FIA stewards handed Hamilton a five-second penalty for “causing a collision” — a ruling that demoted him from third to fifth after the race.

The decision sparked instant outrage from Hamilton fans, who accused the FIA of bias and inconsistency. Hashtags like #JusticeForLewis and #FIAFavoritism trended globally within hours.

Piquet’s Comment Lights the Fuse

Kelly Piquet’s pointed remark came shortly after the FIA’s verdict was announced — and fans wasted no time connecting the dots.

Piquet, the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, has long been a polarizing figure among F1 followers. Her relationship with Verstappen has often placed her at the center of fan wars, especially amid lingering resentment from Hamilton supporters after her father’s controversial past remarks about the British driver.

This time, the backlash was immediate — and fierce.

“Absolutely disgusting,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “A mother, a public figure, mocking a man for speaking out about unfair treatment — embarrassing.”

Another user fired back in Piquet’s defense: “She said what everyone’s thinking! Hamilton loves playing the victim every time he doesn’t win. Max handled it better.”

Hamilton’s Measured Response

Hamilton, 39, did not address Piquet directly but appeared to reference the controversy in a calm yet pointed message on social media hours later.

“I’ll always keep my head high and race with respect,” he wrote. “I know who I am and what I stand for. We move.”

His dignified tone drew praise from fans and fellow drivers alike, with Mercedes teammate George Russell telling reporters, “Lewis handled it like a champion. He’s been through worse.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was less diplomatic.

“Lewis had every right to question the penalty,” Wolff said. “We’ve seen far more aggressive moves go unpunished this season. The FIA needs to be consistent — it’s that simple.”

FIA Faces Mounting Criticism

The FIA has once again found itself under fire for alleged inconsistencies in stewarding decisions — particularly those involving Hamilton.

Former F1 driver Nico Rosberg, speaking on Sky Sports, called the ruling “debatable” and said the FIA’s credibility was “under pressure.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve seen questionable calls,” Rosberg said. “When Lewis is involved, emotions always run high, and every decision feels political.”

Meanwhile, FIA representatives have declined to comment on the backlash, issuing only a short statement confirming that “the stewards’ decision was based on the evidence presented at the time.”

Fans Take Sides: ‘Team Lewis’ vs. ‘Team Max’

What began as an on-track incident has now escalated into a full-blown fan war. Social media has been flooded with split opinions — with some defending Piquet’s comment as “harmless banter,” while others label it as “personal and mean-spirited.”

One post read: “Kelly Piquet’s words prove everything wrong with this toxic rivalry. She’s not even in the car — stay out of it.”

Another countered: “She’s allowed to have an opinion. Lewis complains every time he’s penalized — Max and Kelly owe him nothing.”

By Monday morning, #PiquetVsHamilton was trending worldwide.

A Rivalry Rekindled

For many, this incident is yet another chapter in the ongoing Hamilton vs. Verstappen saga — a rivalry that defined the 2021 season and continues to polarize the sport years later.

“The wounds from 2021 never healed,” said veteran commentator Martin Brundle. “Every clash between them feels personal now. Kelly’s comment just poured fuel on the fire.”

F1 insiders say the atmosphere in the paddock is once again tense, with both Mercedes and Red Bull eager to move past the off-track drama before the next race in Las Vegas.

Still, the headlines aren’t going away anytime soon.

“This isn’t just about a penalty,” one senior team source said. “It’s about perception — who’s favored, who’s targeted, and who’s allowed to speak out.”

The Last Word

As the dust settles, Hamilton has once again found himself at the center of controversy — balancing between grace and frustration, criticism and composure.

And while Kelly Piquet’s words may have reignited F1’s fiercest rivalry, one thing remains clear: in Formula One, the fight for respect can be just as fierce as the fight for victory.