Kelly Piquet has spoken openly for the first time about her relationship with Max Verstappen. The two have now been together for six years and welcomed their daughter Lily in 2025. Piquet talks about how she and Verstappen divide tasks at home and how they always support each other: “Ultimately, our family life largely revolves around his schedule.”
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Kelly Piquet does not often talk about her relationship with Max Verstappen, but makes an exception for the Not Alone podcast. “I am proud of the partner I am, the mother I am, and also who I am as a person,” says the Brazilian. “We all play different roles. Sometimes I have to be supportive and, for example, cancel work because I have to travel with Max or stay home so the children are not completely alone.”
Piquet, herself a model and ambassador for various brands, sometimes has to turn down ‘even very special or well-paid’ assignments because of this. “But honestly: if you can’t find balance, the whole relationship comes under pressure,” she continues. “I am therefore very grateful that we have a strong relationship. I support him and he supports me just as well. He always encourages me to go out and do what I need to do.”
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Piquet also immediately gives an example of the latter. “A while ago I was in the United States with my eldest daughter, while Max was at home with the baby. That went fine, everything went as it should.” Still, family life ultimately revolves around the Formula 1 commitments of the world champion. “He is the one in the spotlight and his work simply demands the most from him. I realize how privileged I am that I can turn down assignments and that this is not a problem for me.”
‘Ego hardly plays a role’
What makes it easier according to Piquet is that Verstappen simply comes straight home after a race weekend and immediately gives all his attention to his family. “The beautiful thing about our relationship is that we hardly let our egos play a role,” says Piquet. “Max is someone who goes to work, does his job, and then comes home again. He is really a family man and enjoys family life. That makes it much easier for me. Ultimately, it’s all about good communication. We both have to be on the same page and both be happy. And if that’s not the case for a while, then it’s a matter of talking about it together and finding the right balance again.”
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