The 2022 season will go down in history with one of the most dominant performances of all time, as Red Bull came flying out of the blocks under the new regulations.
The energy drink giants stormed to their first constructors’ championship since 2013 while Max Verstappen won a stunning 15 races on his way to his second world title.
Alongside winning on the track over the past two seasons, the Dutchman has also been successful away from the racetrack, entering a relationship with Brazilian model Kelly Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet.
The 34-year-old was previously dating former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat and had a child with the Russian before starting her relationship with Verstappen in 2021.
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The model has been by the 25-year-old’s side through both of his title winning seasons and the Dutchman recently told the media that himself and Piquet are trying to reduce their presence on social media.
Piquet has now expanded on her boyfriend’s views, claiming that Verstappen is a driven individual who is not interested in the fame that comes with his success, controversial comparing the 25-year-old to her father.
“He remains so humble, he has both feet firmly on the ground,” she said.
“What I really like is that he knows what he wants and he is not afraid to say it. He is confident and not interested in fame or material things.
“We have a lot in common, are bon vivants. I realise more and more how similar he is to my father.”
The comparison to Nelson Piquet is not one which Verstappen will take much pride in despite his immense driving ability.
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The Brazilian saw his reputation tarnished in 2021 as he referred to Lewis Hamilton with a racist Portuguese term and also saw homophobic comments about the Brit resurface from 2016.
Nelson Piquet has been banned from the Formula 1 paddock following his comments, leaving his reputation as a three-time world champion in tatters.
While Verstappen has defended his girlfriend’s father, claiming that the racist comments were lost in translation and were certainly not meant in a racist manner, the abundance of disgusting comments that have been said by Piquet makes any comparison to the Brazilian an unwelcome one.