Double World Champion Max Verstappen has started the 2023 season emphatically, with the Dutchman having claimed two wins and a second-place finish to start the campaign.
As a result, he currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 15 points from team-mate Sergio Perez, with Verstappen being as fierce as always to ensure that he’s on top.
He’s certainly regarded as one of the more serious characters on the grid, a trait which is arguably shared by the vast majority of world champions; however, there is a certain someone in his life who has an ability to bring out a completely different side of the 25-year-old.
That certain someone, is Penelope Kvyat, the daughter of girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
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Penelope’s father is ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who Verstappen interestingly replaced at Red Bull from the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix onwards.
Penelope is three years old and is often seen with Verstappen, someone she clearly has a special bond with.
That bond was on show during Verstappen’s recent iRacing stream, with Penelope having caused chaos for the Dutchman.
Whilst Verstappen was putting in some laps on his simulator, his stepdaughter started putting her hands on Verstappen’s face, much to the Dutchman’s amusement.
It turned out that Penelope wanted a guest to join her tea party, something Verstappen ultimately did after leaving his stream early.
Verstappen seemingly agreed to attend the tea party before starting his stream, with the Dutchman having been seen saying to Penelope, “I know, I know, I’ll come soon”.
Verstappen’s relaxed, caring nature certainly comes out when he’s with Penelope, with the Red Bull driver almost being a completely different person to what he’s like when his helmet goes on.
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The clip of him and Penelope has certainly melted the hearts of his fans, given that Verstappen is rarely seen being so gentle.
A very different side of him is certainly seen in the paddock; however, he has certainly demonstrated a different side of him this season.
This has been most notable during the pre-weekend press conferences, where Verstappen is often seen joking with the other drivers on the sofa whilst they’re being interviewed.