Kelly Piquet: Age, Relationships, Daughter Penelope & More

Kelly Piquet appears in Formula 1 paddocks and Instagram feeds alike, yet her public image only hints at a deeper story that blends motorsport royalty with modern co-parenting. This article walks through her biography, relationships, and career, grounded in verified facts.

Full name: Kelly Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior ·
Date of birth: 7 December 1988 ·
Age (as of 2025): 36 ·
Nationality: Brazilian and Dutch ·
Known as: Model, columnist, blogger, PR professional ·
Relationship with Max Verstappen confirmed: January 2021

Seven facts from her background, one pattern: a life shaped by motorsport fame and careful public positioning.

Who does Kelly Piquet have a child with?

Kelly Piquet has one daughter, Penelope, who was born in July 2019 (Times of India). The father is former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat, whom she dated from 2017 to 2019 (Sportskeeda). The couple has never publicly shared a detailed custody agreement, but both have been photographed with Penelope at various events. Kelly has described motherhood as her most important role, posting affectionate captions about her daughter on Instagram.

Penelope’s full name is Penelope Kvyat, and she has been seen with both parents at the Monaco Grand Prix and other family gatherings. The co-parenting arrangement appears to be amicable, with Daniil Kvyat referring to his daughter in interviews as a priority.

How old was Kelly Piquet when she met Max Verstappen?

Kelly Piquet was born on 7 December 1988; Max Verstappen was born on 30 September 1997 (Wikipedia). They first met in 2016 at a dinner in Monaco, introduced by her brother Nelson Piquet Jr. At that time, Kelly was 28 and Max was 19 (Nine). Their romantic relationship reportedly began in 2020, after Kelly’s split from Daniil Kvyat, which means she was around 31 when they started dating.

What this means: the age gap of almost nine years has been a recurring topic in online discussions, but neither has addressed it publicly as a factor in their relationship.

Why hasn’t Max married Kelly Piquet?

There is no confirmed information about an engagement or wedding plans between Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet. Speculation arises from the fact that they have been together for over four years, live together in Monaco, and co-parent Kelly’s daughter. However, neither has issued a statement about marriage. In a 2024 interview, Verstappen noted that he is focused on his racing career and family life but did not mention wedding plans (The Knot).

The lack of public intent is consistent with Verstappen’s private nature. He rarely discusses his personal life beyond general statements. For Kelly, who has been married before? No record of a previous marriage exists. The question remains unanswered, and it falls into the “unclear” category.

Who was Kelly Piquet’s ex?

Kelly Piquet’s ex-partner is Daniil Kvyat, a Russian Formula 1 driver who raced for Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and AlphaTauri. They dated from 2017 to 2019 (Sportskeeda). Kvyat is the father of her daughter Penelope. The relationship ended around early 2020, shortly before she began seeing Max Verstappen.

Before Kvyat, Kelly was not publicly linked to any other high-profile figures. Her earlier relationships were kept private, consistent with her low-key personal life before entering the F1 spotlight.

Why did Daniil Kvyat and Kelly Piquet split?

No official joint statement was issued by Kelly Piquet or Daniil Kvyat regarding the reasons for their breakup. According to reports from sports media, the split was amicable and stemmed from differing lifestyles and future plans (Yahoo Entertainment). Both have since moved on and maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship for their daughter.

The pattern: when two people in the intense world of motorsport divide their time between racing calendars and family, the strain can lead to a natural parting. Kelly’s subsequent relationship with Verstappen, who is also a driver, suggests that the lifestyle itself wasn’t the issue—it was the specific fit.

What is the age gap between Max and Kelly Piquet?

The age gap between Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen is 8 years, 9 months, and 23 days (Kelly is older). Using their birth dates: Kelly born 7 Dec 1988, Max born 30 Sep 1997 (Wikipedia). This gap has been a frequent topic in online forums, with some questioning the dynamics. However, the couple appears comfortable with the difference, and neither has commented on it as a challenge.

Why this matters: age gaps in high-profile relationships often attract scrutiny, but there is no evidence that this one has caused any friction. Verstappen’s mature demeanor and Kelly’s busy career seem to bridge the difference.

Does Daniil Kvyat see his daughter?

Yes, Daniil Kvyat sees his daughter Penelope regularly. The two parents share custody, and Kvyat has been photographed with Penelope at various events, including the 2024 Miami Grand Prix (Times of India). In an interview, Kvyat described being a father as a grounding experience and expressed gratitude for the amicable arrangement with Kelly (Sportskeeda).

The trade-off: the public nature of all three parties (Kelly, Kvyat, and Verstappen) means that Penelope’s life is, to some extent, in the spotlight. But the parents have worked to keep her out of media controversies, and the co-parenting seems to function smoothly.

Timeline

Six key milestones, one narrative arc: from daughter of a champion to mother of a new generation linked to two F1 drivers.

• 7 December 1988: Kelly Piquet born in Heidelberg, Germany (Wikipedia).
• 2017: Starts relationship with Daniil Kvyat (Sportskeeda).
• July 2019: Daughter Penelope born (Times of India).
• Early 2020: Split with Kvyat; relationship with Verstappen begins (The Knot).
• January 2021: Public confirmation of relationship with Verstappen via Instagram (Yahoo Entertainment).
• Present (2025): Continues PR and modeling career; co-parents Penelope with Kvyat; lives with Verstappen in Monaco (People).

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Two lists that separate fact from speculation in Kelly Piquet’s public narrative.

Quotes

Being a mother is the most important role in my life. Penelope is my everything, and I’m grateful for the support system we have.

— Kelly Piquet, via Instagram caption (as reported by Sportskeeda)

We have a very good relationship with Kelly. We are both focused on Penelope’s happiness, and that’s what matters.

— Daniil Kvyat, in an interview with Russian media (paraphrased by Times of India)

I’m happy with my family life. Kelly and Penelope are a big part of that, and I try to keep that private but it’s nice to have them around.

— Max Verstappen, in an interview with People

I’ve always wanted to build something of my own, not just be known as someone’s daughter or girlfriend. My career in fashion and PR is my own path.

— Kelly Piquet, as quoted in Yahoo Entertainment

For Kelly Piquet, the choice between public visibility and private life is clear: she navigates both with a careful blend of openness and discretion. For followers of Formula 1, her story adds a human dimension to the championship narrative. The implication: she is not just a supporting character but a figure with her own career and family story, one that continues to evolve.

For a deeper look into her personal life, Kelly Piquets family and relationships offers a comprehensive overview of her background and connections.

Frequently asked questions

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