If you’ve followed Formula 1 long enough, you’ve noticed that the paddock loves a good family connection. Kelly Piquet is the thread weaving together three generations of F1—daughter of a triple champion, former partner of one driver, and current partner of another. This article traces her biography, relationships, and the co-parenting reality behind the headlines, with source-backed facts on every claim.
Full name: Kelly Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior ·
Date of birth: 7 December 1988 ·
Nationality: Brazilian, Dutch ·
Partner since: October 2020 (Max Verstappen) ·
Children: Penelope (b. 2019), Lily (stepdaughter) ·
Father: Nelson Piquet, three-time F1 champion
Quick snapshot
- Daughter of Nelson Piquet (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry)
- Has a daughter Penelope with Daniil Kvyat (People – celebrity news outlet)
- In a relationship with Max Verstappen since October 2020 (RacingNews365 – F1 news site)
- Exact reason for the split with Daniil Kvyat (not publicly confirmed)
- Whether Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet plan to marry
- Specific legal terms of the co-parenting arrangement with Kvyat
- 2017: relationship with Kvyat begins
- July 2019: daughter Penelope born
- December 2019: split from Kvyat
- October 2020: relationship with Verstappen starts
- Verstappen and Piquet continue co-parenting Penelope and Lily together
- No marriage announcement as of 2025
Seven facts about Kelly Piquet, one pattern: every major life event is tied to the Formula 1 world.
The table below condenses the key biographical identifiers into a single reference view.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kelly Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior |
| Born | 7 December 1988 (age 35) |
| Nationality | Brazilian, Dutch |
| Occupation | Model, columnist, blogger, public relations |
| Known for | Relationship with Max Verstappen, daughter of Nelson Piquet |
| Children | 1 daughter with Daniil Kvyat (Penelope, b. 2019) |
| Current partner | Max Verstappen (since 2020) |
Who does Kelly Piquet have a child with?
Daniil Kvyat is the father of Penelope
- Kelly Piquet and Russian Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat have one daughter, Penelope, born in July 2019 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
- People magazine reports that Penelope was born on 27 July 2019 (People – celebrity news outlet).
- Kvyat was a Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver during their relationship.
Co-parenting details after split
- Piquet and Kvyat separated in December 2019, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
- IBTimes UK reported that Verstappen confirmed the couple continue co-parenting Penelope (IBTimes UK – UK news site).
- Sportskeeda notes that Kvyat and Piquet share custody of their daughter (Sportskeeda – sports news outlet).
The implication: despite the split, both parents remain involved in Penelope’s life, with Verstappen now acting as a stepfather.
Kelly Piquet’s family story is essentially a Formula 1 co-parenting triangle: one ex-partner (Kvyat) and one current partner (Verstappen) both F1 drivers, creating a uniquely public blended family dynamic.
How old was Kelly Piquet when she met Max Verstappen?
Age at the start of the relationship in 2020
- Kelly Piquet was born on 7 December 1988 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
- She began dating Max Verstappen in October 2020, making her 31–32 years old at the time (RacingNews365 – F1 news site).
- Verstappen was born 30 September 1997, so he was 23 when they started dating.
Timeline from meeting to public confirmation
- Some sources claim they first met in 2016 at a dinner in Monaco, introduced by Nelson Piquet Jr. (Coastfocus – lifestyle blog).
- Their relationship became public in January 2021 through social media posts (Celebriet – entertainment site).
The pattern: the age gap—roughly 8 years and 9 months—has drawn frequent public curiosity, but Verstappen has never highlighted it as an issue.
Why hasn’t Max married Kelly Piquet?
Public statements by Verstappen on marriage
- In a 2023 interview, Verstappen stated that marriage is not a priority for him or Piquet (RacingNews365 – F1 news site).
- The couple moved in together in Monaco in 2022, blending their families (Penelope and Verstappen’s daughter Lily).
Cultural and personal preferences
- Both have focused on parenting and careers rather than a formal wedding.
- People magazine described Verstappen as a “stepfather” to Penelope, indicating a committed family unit without marriage (People – celebrity news outlet).
The catch: for fans expecting a traditional wedding, the couple’s stance is clear—marriage is not on the table, but the relationship is stable.
Max Verstappen, a 3-time F1 champion, has publicly chosen a non-traditional family structure. For fans in the Netherlands and Brazil, this signals a shift from conventional expectations in high-profile sports families.
How old was Max when he dated Kelly?
Age at the start of relationship
- Max Verstappen was born 30 September 1997 (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
- When they began dating in October 2020, Max was 23 years old.
Age gap comparison
- Kelly Piquet was 31 at the time, making the gap 8 years, 9 months, and 23 days (Coastfocus – lifestyle blog).
- The age difference is similar to the one between Verstappen’s parents (Jos Verstappen and Sophie Kumpen).
The implication: the age gap is common in the Verstappen family, which may normalize it for the couple.
Does Daniil Kvyat see his daughter?
Current co-parenting arrangement
- Daniil Kvyat and Kelly Piquet share custody of Penelope after their split (Sportskeeda – sports news outlet).
- Kvyat has been photographed with Penelope at events and on social media, confirming ongoing contact.
Public appearances with Penelope
- In 2024, Kvyat posted a photo with Penelope on his Instagram, showing he remains an active father.
- Verstappen has also been seen with Penelope at races, indicating a blended family approach.
The pattern: the co-parenting relationship appears amicable, with all three adults prioritizing Penelope’s well-being.
Timeline of Kelly Piquet’s life and relationships
Eight key dates, one narrative arc: from F1 royalty to F1 partner.
The chronology below maps the sequence of relationships and family milestones.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 December 1988 | Kelly Piquet born in Stuttgart, Germany |
| 2017 | Begins relationship with Daniil Kvyat |
| July 2019 | Birth of daughter Penelope with Kvyat |
| Late 2019 | Split from Daniil Kvyat |
| October 2020 | Starts relationship with Max Verstappen |
| January 2021 | Relationship made public via social media |
| 2022 | Couple moves in together in Monaco |
| 2024 | Verstappen and Piquet remain in relationship, no marriage reported |
The catch: the timeline shows a rapid succession of relationships—from Kvyat to Verstappen within a year—which has fueled public speculation but is consistent with the tight-knit F1 social circle.
Clarity section: What’s confirmed, what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Kelly Piquet has a daughter with Daniil Kvyat named Penelope (born 2019) (People – celebrity news outlet).
- She has been in a relationship with Max Verstappen since October 2020 (RacingNews365 – F1 news site).
- Her father is Nelson Piquet, three-time F1 champion (Racesundays – F1 lifestyle site).
- She is a model and blogger (Wikipedia – encyclopedia entry).
- Daniil Kvyat sees his daughter (shared custody) (Sportskeeda – sports news outlet).
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for the split with Daniil Kvyat (speculated but not publicly confirmed).
- Whether Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet plan to marry in the future.
- Specific legal terms of the co-parenting arrangement with Kvyat.
Perspectives from the family
“I don’t think marriage is a priority for us. We’re happy the way we are.”
Max Verstappen, in a 2023 interview (RacingNews365 – F1 news site)
“Love Mama to Penelope and Lily.”
Kelly Piquet, Instagram caption (Instagram – Kelly Piquet’s profile)
“Kelly and Daniil are doing a great job co-parenting. Penelope is a happy little girl.”
Source close to the family, quoted by IBTimes UK – UK news site
The three voices show a consistent picture: a family unit that works despite the unconventional structure.
Why this all matters
Kelly Piquet’s life is a case study in how Formula 1’s small world creates overlapping relationships. For fans in Brazil, her father’s legacy adds weight to her public role. For the broader F1 audience, the co-parenting story between Kvyat and Verstappen challenges the idea that ex-partners in sports can’t cooperate. For the Verstappen family in the Netherlands, the choice to remain unmarried while raising two daughters together signals a modern, private approach to partnership. The pattern is clear: the paddock may be competitive, but the personal lives are more connected—and more cooperative—than the headlines often suggest.
msn.com, gpfans.com, briefly.co.za, celebriet.com, people.com
Frequently asked questions
Who is the father of Kelly Piquet’s daughter?
Daniil Kvyat, a former Formula 1 driver, is the biological father of Penelope, born in July 2019.
What is the age difference between Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet?
Kelly Piquet is about 8 years and 9 months older than Max Verstappen.
Is Kelly Piquet married to Max Verstappen?
No, they are not married as of 2025. Verstappen has said marriage is not a priority.
How many children does Kelly Piquet have?
She has one biological daughter, Penelope, and is stepmother to Verstappen’s daughter Lily.
What does Kelly Piquet do for work?
She works as a model, columnist, blogger, and public relations professional.
Why did Kelly Piquet and Daniil Kvyat separate?
The exact reason has not been publicly confirmed, but the split occurred in December 2019 after two years together.
Does Daniil Kvyat have custody of Penelope?
Kvyat and Piquet share custody, and he remains an active father in Penelope’s life.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.