The Formula 1 world is upside down after the cheerful news that triple world champion Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet are expecting their second child. The couple, which has been together since 2020, announced the happy news through a joint post on Instagram that went viral within a few minutes.
The photo, which received millions of likes within an hour, shows how Verstappen and Piquet pose radiantly in the garden of their home in Monaco. Kelly visibly proudly holds her baby belly, while Max embraces her lovingly. In the caption, Verstappen wrote:“We are happy to share that our family is growing. Welcome, little Sophia.”With that he not only revealed the name of their future daughter, but also that it is a girl.
The reactions immediately came in. Fans from all over the world congratulated the couple, while fellow drivers and prominent people from motor sport also sent their congratulations. Lewis Hamilton wrote under the post:“Congratulations, Bro! Lots of love and happiness desired for your family.”Former world champion Fernando Alonso added:“Great news, Max. Enjoy this beautiful moment.”
Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, shared extra photos on her own channel of an intimate family party showing her daughter Penelope-from an earlier relationship with driver Daniil Kvyat. Penelope holds a balloon with the text “Big Sister”, which caused a flood of heart emojis among fans.
For Verstappen, this news is an emotional milestone. During an interview with a Dutch sports channel, he said:“Life is not just about racing. Family is the most important thing for me. I am proud that I can become a father again and I can’t wait to keep Sophia in my arms.”
The news comes in a period in which Verstappen also performs sportingly excellently. He currently leads the championship and seems to be fast on his way to his fourth world title. Yet he emphasized that paternity is his greatest victory.“World titles are fantastic, but the feeling that you get when you see your child laughing can be compared with nothing,”Thus the driver.
Fans are already speculating about how Verstappen’s life will change with a second child in the house. Some joke that Red Bull Racing will soon have to develop a “Family Car” for the world champion, while others hope that Sophia will ever follow in her father’s footsteps.
It is expected that Kelly will give birth in the spring of next year. Until that time, the couple say they will enjoy the pregnancy in relative rest as much as possible, although it is clear that the world will continue to follow them closely.
With this news, Verstappen has again shown that, even in the super -fast world of Formula 1, there is always time and space for the most beautiful emotions in life: love, family and new life.
