MONACO-In a surprising turn that turned the Formula 1 world and the tosspher press upside down, triple world champion Max Verstappen has given his partner Kelly Piquet a million villa in Monaco as a gift. The reason? Kelly recently discovered that she is pregnant for the second time. What this romantic gesture put in the spotlights even more was the villa itself, but Kelly’s unexpected reaction – a reaction that left millions of fans speechless.
According to sources close to the couple, the news of pregnancy was a huge joy for both. Verstappen, who is known for his focus on racing and his often modest private life, decided to surprise Kelly with a home that surpasses everything they have had together so far. The villa, located in the heart of Monte Carlo overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, has six bedrooms, a private swimming pool on the roof and its own jetty for their luxury yacht.
But when Kelly got hold of the keys, she responded differently than many had expected. Instead of cracking out of happiness or publicly thanking Verstappen, according to Insiders, she would have looked tightly and said:“This house is beautiful, Max … but it’s not what I need.”
These words, which were immediately distributed via social media and tabloids, caused a storm of speculation. What did Kelly mean? Was there tensions behind the scenes, or did she try to make a deeper point?
A friend of Kelly told a French lifestyle magazine that her reaction did not come out of thanklessness, but from a different perspective. “Kelly loves Max and appreciates everything he does. But for her, parenting is not about luxury or material gifts. She wants Max, in addition to his busy F1 schedule, really present-at the small moments, at the first steps, together in dinner.”
On social media, the fans divided themselves into Kampen. Some praised Kelly for her sincere words and her emphasis on emotional involvement. “She says what many partners of top athletes feel but never dare to pronounce,” wrote a fan on Twitter/X. Others found her reaction exaggerated and saw it as a missed opportunity to embrace Max ’romantic gesture.
Verstappen himself now reacted in a short interview after the Grand Prix of Hungary. With a smile he said:“Kelly and I understand each other very well. It’s not about houses or gifts, but about our family. And believe me – I will be there.”
Whether the million villa will serve as their new home or only as a holiday home, will remain unclear for the time being. One thing is certain: behind the glamorous façade of the F1 life there is a story of love, expectations and the search for balance between career and family. And for Max and Kelly, that search seems to really start now.