Kelly Piquet, girlfriend of Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, has called for urgent action after sharing a distressing image depicting the severe suffering in Gaza. The Brazilian model and influencer, aged 36, has been with the Dutch racing star since late 2020, and the couple currently reside together in his Monaco apartment. Piquet used her social media platform to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging the world to respond.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in motorsport, with both her father and brother having racing backgrounds, Piquet is a steadfast presence in Verstappen’s life. The four-time reigning Formula 1 world champion has often been supported by Piquet, who was frequently seen cheering at races before her pregnancy last December. Now a mother of two, she continues to advocate for causes close to her heart, including women’s rights and challenges faced by new mothers.
Piquet’s Personal Plea Reflects Deep Maternal Concern
Recently, Piquet shared a haunting image via her Instagram Story showing a woman in Gaza cradling a young child amid dire conditions. She wrote:
“As the mother to a six-year-old myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of witnessing your child waste away in your arms or the heartbreak of knowing the world is watching in silence. No child should ever starve. Not in 2025. Not Anywhere. This is what genocide looks like; this is what silence allows. We must speak. We must act. Their lives depend on it.”
This message underscores her emotional connection to the situation as a mother, emphasizing the urgency and tragic reality faced by families in the conflict zone. Despite her public activism, Piquet remains dedicated to caring for her newborn daughter, Lily, born to Max Verstappen in early May.
Max Verstappen Prioritizes Family Time, Delays Introducing Daughter to Racing World
Meanwhile, Verstappen has maintained focus on his racing career while managing his new role as a father. The Dutch driver has expressed no hurry to bring daughter Lily to the Formula 1 paddock. In an interview with GPBlog, he stated:
“I’m not really in a rush about that. I just want her to also have a bit of peace. It’s not necessarily that I want her to be around here.”
The couple has so far chosen to keep Lily’s images and details private, shielding their family from intense media attention. Kelly Piquet has openly discussed stepping back from her professional engagements to devote time to motherhood, while Verstappen has reduced media commitments to spend more moments with his family off the track.
Implications of Their Public Roles Amid Global Crisis
Kelly Piquet’s outspoken stance on the Gaza humanitarian emergency, combined with her visible role as a mother and partner of a leading F1 champion, highlights the intersection of personal and global concerns. Her call to action reflects growing awareness among public figures regarding the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on civilians, particularly children.
For Verstappen, balancing high-pressure sporting achievements with fatherhood represents a significant shift, potentially influencing how elite athletes manage family life alongside demanding careers. Their choices to maintain privacy around their child and engage carefully with public issues may set examples for others within the racing community and beyond.
