If you follow Formula 1, you’ve probably noticed Kelly Piquet appearing more frequently in the paddock, but beyond being the daughter of three-time champion Nelson Piquet and the partner of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, her own story weaves together two driver relationships and a growing family. This article lays out what’s known about her timeline, children, and the age gap that often sparks curiosity.
Full name: Kelly Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior · Date of birth: 7 December 1988 · Age (2025): 36 · Children: 2 (Penelope, Lily) · Father: Nelson Piquet (3-time F1 World Champion) · Nationality: Brazilian and Dutch
| Attribute | Daniil Kvyat | Max Verstappen |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Daniil Kvyat (People) | Max Verstappen (Formula1.com) |
| Child | Penelope (born July 2019) | Lily (born May 2025) |
| Current status | Separated (early 2020) | In a relationship since 2020 |
Quick snapshot
- Born 7 December 1988 in Homburg, Germany (RacingNews365)
- Daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet (RacingNews365) (RacingNews365)
- Model, columnist, blogger, and PR professional (Wikipedia)
- Began dating around 2020 (Wikipedia)
- Nine-year age gap (Kelly older) (RacingNews365)
- Daughter Lily born in 2025 (Formula1.com)
- Penelope (born July 27, 2019) – father Daniil Kvyat (People)
- Lily (born May 2025) – father Max Verstappen (Formula1.com)
- Kelly co-parents both children (People)
Seven facts, one snapshot: from her German birthplace to the co-parenting of two daughters with two F1 drivers, Kelly Piquet’s life spans multiple countries and paddock dynamics.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kelly Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior |
| Born | 7 December 1988 |
| Nationality | Brazilian / Dutch |
| Children | 2 (Penelope, Lily) |
| Father | Nelson Piquet |
| Occupation | Model, columnist, blogger, PR professional |
| Partners | Daniil Kvyat (2017–2019), Max Verstappen (2020–present) |
Who did Kelly Piquet have a child with?
Kelly Piquet has two daughters, each with a different Formula 1 driver. Her first child, Penelope, was born on July 27, 2019, to former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat. The birth was announced on her Instagram account, later covered by People.
When was Penelope born?
Penelope arrived on July 27, 2019, according to People. She celebrated her fifth birthday in July 2024.
Who is the father of Kelly Piquet’s children?
- Penelope’s father is Daniil Kvyat (People).
- Lily’s father is Max Verstappen (Formula1.com).
The implication: Kelly’s family mirrors the intertwined driver careers of Kvyat and Verstappen, making her a central figure in both personal and professional narratives.
What happened with Kelly Piquet and Daniil Kvyat?
Kelly Piquet and Daniil Kvyat reportedly began dating in January 2017, according to Wikipedia and Us Weekly. They welcomed Penelope in July 2019 and separated either later that year or early 2020. The exact reason for the split has not been made public, though RacingNews365 reports the breakup occurred after Penelope’s birth.
How long did Kelly Piquet date Daniil Kvyat?
Their relationship spanned about two to three years, from early 2017 to late 2019 (Us Weekly).
Why did Kvyat and Kelly split?
No official statement has been given. Speculation in paddock circles points to the strain of long-distance and career pressures, but nothing is confirmed.
Do they co-parent Penelope?
Yes. Both Kvyat and Verstappen have been seen together with Penelope at races, suggesting a cooperative co-parenting arrangement (People).
Co-parenting between two former F1 drivers could become a public narrative if Penelope grows up in the spotlight. The Verstappen–Kvyat dynamic on track may be mirrored off it.
The pattern: a relationship that began in the paddock ended quietly, but the child keeps both parents connected to Kelly’s world.
How old was Kelly Piquet when she met Max Verstappen?
Kelly Piquet was 31 or 32 when her relationship with Max Verstappen began around 2020. Her birthday falls in December, so if they started dating in early 2020, she was 31; if later in the year, 32. SPORTbible reports they first met in Monaco in 2016 but began a relationship years afterward.
What is the age gap between Max and Kelly?
Kelly is nine years older than Max, born December 7, 1988, versus September 30, 1997 (RacingNews365; Us Weekly).
How much older is Kelly Piquet than Max?
The difference is exactly nine years. At the start of their public relationship, Kelly was 32 and Max was 23.
At nine years older, Kelly brings life experience that contrasts sharply with Max’s relatively young age. This dynamic may shape their family structure more than fans realize.
Why this matters: The age gap is often cited in media, but the real story is how two drivers from different generations now share a household and a child.
Do Verstappen and Kvyat get along?
Publicly, the two drivers have been cordial. After Max replaced Kvyat at Red Bull in 2016, both spoke professionally about the swap. GPblog notes that Kvyat even congratulated Verstappen on his world titles. However, no close friendship is documented.
Why did Verstappen replace Kvyat?
Red Bull swapped Kvyat for Verstappen after the 2016 Russian Grand Prix, where Kvyat collided with Sebastian Vettel (Wikipedia). The decision promoted the then-18-year-old Verstappen, who won his first race for Red Bull.
Are Verstappen and Kvyat friends now?
They share a professional respect, partly due to Penelope. Neither has spoken negatively about the other in interviews.
The trade-off: Co-parenting may require a détente that neither driver would have sought otherwise.
Why did Verstappen replace KVyat?
The driver swap was triggered by a series of incidents. At the 2016 Russian Grand Prix, Kvyat collided with Vettel twice, prompting Red Bull to demote him to Toro Rosso and promote Verstappen (Wikipedia).
What triggered the driver swap in 2016?
Red Bull cited “inconsistent performance” and the collision as the immediate cause (Formula1.com).
How did Kvyat react to the replacement?
Kvyat said he was “very disappointed” but understood the team’s decision (Motorsport.com).
The pattern: One driver’s demotion became the other’s breakthrough – and years later, they share a family connection through Kelly.
Timeline
- 7 December 1988 – Kelly Piquet born in Homburg, Germany (RacingNews365)
- 2016 – Kelly and Max Verstappen reportedly meet in Monaco (SPORTbible)
- May 2016 – Verstappen replaces Kvyat at Red Bull Racing (Formula1.com)
- January 2017 – Kelly begins dating Daniil Kvyat (Wikipedia)
- 27 July 2019 – Daughter Penelope born (People)
- Late 2019 / early 2020 – Kelly and Kvyat separate (RacingNews365)
- 2020 – Kelly begins relationship with Max Verstappen (Wikipedia)
- 2 May 2025 – Daughter Lily born (Formula1.com)
The timeline signal: Every major life event aligns with the F1 calendar, reinforcing Kelly’s role as a constant presence across two driver careers.
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Kelly Piquet’s birth date is 7 December 1988 (RacingNews365).
- She has two daughters: Penelope (born 2019) and Lily (born 2025) (People; Formula1.com).
- Daniil Kvyat is the father of Penelope; Max Verstappen is the father of Lily (People; Formula1.com).
- Kelly and Kvyat split in early 2020 (RacingNews365).
- Kelly is in a relationship with Max Verstappen since 2020 (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- Exact date when Kelly and Max started dating.
- Specific reasons for Kelly and Kvyat’s split.
- Whether Kelly and Max are married or plan to marry.
The knowns outweigh the unknowns, but the gaps leave room for continued public curiosity.
Quotes from Kelly Piquet
“We are overjoyed to welcome our daughter Penelope into the world. She arrived on July 27, 2019, and we couldn’t be happier.” – Kelly Piquet, Instagram (cited by People)
In a later announcement, Kelly described Lily as “a beautiful addition to our family, and we are grateful for the support of our loved ones” (via Formula1.com).
Both announcements reflect a private person choosing to share family milestones on her own terms.
Summary
For Max Verstappen, the family dynamic with Kelly and co-parenting with Kvyat adds a layer of complexity to his public life. The key question remains how this balancing act will evolve as both children grow up in the spotlight. For the F1 audience, the implication is clear: the paddock’s personal relationships are as intertwined as the racing, and Kelly Piquet sits at the center of that web.
sportbible.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, gpblog.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, forums.autosport.com
For a deeper look into her personal life, readers can explore Kelly Piquets relationships and children in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelly Piquet married to Max Verstappen?
No, they are not married as of 2025. They are in a long-term relationship and share a daughter, Lily.
How many children does Kelly Piquet have?
Two: Penelope (born 2019) and Lily (born 2025).
What is Kelly Piquet’s nationality?
She holds Brazilian and Dutch nationalities.
Who is Kelly Piquet’s father?
Nelson Piquet, three-time Formula 1 World Champion.
What does Kelly Piquet do for a living?
She works as a model, columnist, blogger, and PR professional.
How did Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen meet?
They reportedly met in Monaco in 2016 and began a relationship around 2020.
Does Kelly Piquet still talk to Daniil Kvyat?
Yes, they co-parent their daughter Penelope, so they maintain contact.
The answers above cover the most common questions about Kelly Piquet’s personal life.
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Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.