Max Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet is almost a decade older than the Formula One icon.

Kelly Piquet was 27 years old when she first met a then-19-year-old Max Verstappen (Image: Getty)
Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet revealed her first experience of meeting Max Verstappen was an “absolute disaster.” Kelly, who is the daughter of Formula One legend Nelson Piquet, was 27 when she first met the Red Bull superstar in 2016, who was 19 at the time.

Taking to Instagram earlier this week, Piquet, now 37, shared several photos fom her life 10 years ago including holidays with friends, family celebrations and even a picture with Niki Lauda, who died in 2019. Of the 20 photos she posted, it was the very last one that garnered the most attention.

The black and white photo, which featured herself and Verstappen, celebrated their future relationship as the caption Kelly added to it described her experience of first meeting the Dutchman. It read: “I met this man. The very next day he told me I was the love of his life. Little did I know that 10 years later we’d be celebrating five years together and have a perfect baby girl.”

In an additional message she wrote below, she added: “I absolutely did not have a magical night that evening, but there was serendipity in the air.” Piquet’s mother then quoted Kelly’s comment, saying: “I did not have a magical night that night,” to which Kelly replied: “I would say an absolute disaster.” Approaching almost six years together, Kelly has been by Max’s side for each of his world championship victories.

Despite missing out on the title last season to Lando Norris, 2025 was still a special year for Verstappen who welcomed his first child, Lily, with Kelly in May. Discussing the experience of becoming a parent, he said: “It was definitely a wonderful experience. I’m so glad I could be there – absolutely. My parents also said, of course, that being there and experiencing everything is the most beautiful thing. That’s absolutely true. Seeing your own baby is, of course, very special.”

Contracted to Red Bull until 2028, their struggles last season coupled with Mercedes’ intense interest in Verstappen led to rumours about his future at the team. A clause in his contract, which potentially affords him the opportunity to leave Red Bull if he is lower than second in the championship standings, is said to become active again later this year.

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Verstappen’s loyalty to the team he’s been with his entire career has a limit. “Loyalty is important, but it can only go so far,” he told Express Sport, via JeffBet. “When you’re in Verstappen’s position, you have to have that trust that Red Bull can offer him what he needs to win races.

“But if Red Bull can’t consistently offer him the tools he needs, like in 2025, sometimes, loyalty comes to an end. Feelings can shift because they’re not giving you what they should be giving you. I think a driver of Max’s stature is always looking for the next best thing. That doesn’t mean it could be next year, it could be in the next two or three years. All the rumours last season were a sign that Max might be looking elsewhere, let’s see.”