F1 driver Max Verstappen & model Kelly Piquet expecting their first child
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and Brazilian model Kelly Piquet have announced they are expecting their first child together. The couple shared the news Friday morning on Instagram with a black-and-white photo captioned, "Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way."
The baby news comes just weeks after Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24. Verstappen, 27, shared his excitement in a video released by Red Bull Racing, stating, "I’ve been a sort of bonus dad for a while now, but this makes me incredibly excited."
The Dutch driver has been in a relationship with Piquet, 35, since October 2020. Piquet is the daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet and has a 5-year-old daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Penelope currently lives with Piquet and Verstappen in Monaco.
Rumors about Piquet’s pregnancy began circulating in October when she was absent from the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen clinched his championship title. At the time, Piquet shared her support for Verstappen via an Instagram story, watching the race from home.
This morning’s post marks the couple’s official confirmation of the news. In a separate Instagram story, Piquet acknowledged the emotional nature of pregnancy announcements for some. "I understand how hard this kind of news can be for people who are hoping for the same. If that’s you, I’m sending you all my love, hugs, and magic," she wrote.
Verstappen’s younger sister, Victoria Verstappen, expressed her excitement under the Instagram post, writing, "Can’t wait!" Fans of the couple also flooded the comments with congratulations, celebrating the growing Verstappen-Piquet family.
Piquet’s father, Nelson Piquet, has not commented publicly, but the pregnancy further ties two major legacies in Formula 1 history. Verstappen and Piquet’s child will represent the union of two generations of world champions.
