It’s not surprising that Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet found their way to each other’s arms. Why? Apparently, like Verstappen, Kelly is also racing royalty. Her father just so happens to be Nelson Piquet, a former Formula 1 racer and three-time world champion. Her brother, Nelson Piquet, Jr., is a pro racer, too. Speaking with Vogue Netherlands, the model revealed that her exposure to racing started at a young age when she would play on the track with her big brother.
“My earliest memories are from the race track, when I first came to Brazil at the age of five with my brother Nelson who was eight. He took up karting and was instantly obsessed. They are fond memories, the afternoons spent at the go-kart track after school, watching it go round and round until the sun went down,” she recalled, adding that, over the years, she helped Nelson Jr. in his races. “I was always very involved in my brother’s career. I’ve been through the ups and downs, seeing what pressure does to a person.”
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And while she recognizes the pitfalls of professional racing, her love for it never wavered. “I love the thrill, the atmosphere (in certain cases), the rollercoaster of emotions, and seeing all the hard work it takes to put everything together,” she told Glamour Russia. The model, however, can’t help but feel anxious when it’s Verstappen’s turn to get behind the wheel. “I’m always super excited to support him but I always am nervous that everything goes well and that he doesn’t get hurt in an accident.”
