Kelly Piquet Fires Back at FIA with Five Powerful Words as Max Verstappen Faces Heavy Punishment After 2025 Spanish GP Drama
Just 10 minutes ago, June 3, 2025, Max Verstappen’s girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, has made headlines with a bold five-word statement aimed at the FIA following their announcement of a severe penalty against the Red Bull driver. The punishment stems from a contentious incident with George Russell during the closing laps of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix on June 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Verstappen’s actions led to a dramatic collision. Piquet’s fiery response—“You can’t break his spirit”—has ignited a storm of reactions, amplifying the already intense debate surrounding the FIA’s decision and Verstappen’s challenging season.
The controversy erupted during a late-race restart triggered by a safety car after Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli retired on Lap 55. Verstappen, forced onto hard tires due to Red Bull’s three-stop strategy, clashed with Russell at Turn 5 after being instructed to yield position following an earlier off-track move at Turn 1. As Russell overtook, Verstappen’s sudden acceleration caused a collision, prompting the stewards to impose a 10-second time penalty—demoting him from fifth to 10th—and add three penalty points to his super license, bringing his 12-month total to 11, just one away from a race ban. The FIA’s ruling, announced today, also hinted at a potential further review, intensifying the pressure on the four-time champion, who now trails Oscar Piastri by 49 points in the standings.
Piquet, a Brazilian model and daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet, took to social media to defend her partner, echoing sentiments she’s expressed during past controversies, such as the 2024 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix penalty. Her words reflect frustration with what she and Verstappen’s camp perceive as inconsistent officiating, a sentiment shared by Verstappen’s father, Jos, who earlier called the FIA’s silence and ruling “bizarre and extreme.” Fans on platforms like X have rallied behind Piquet, with some praising her loyalty, while others speculate the penalty reflects a broader narrative targeting Verstappen amid Red Bull’s struggles against McLaren’s dominance this year.
The FIA boss responded to the backlash, stating, “The penalty was based on clear evidence of Verstappen’s actions causing the collision. Safety and fairness are our priorities, and we stand by the stewards’ decision.” However, this has done little to quell criticism, with some arguing the FIA’s lack of real-time guidance during the race left Verstappen vulnerable. Red Bull’s Christian Horner labeled the penalty “harsh,” noting the team’s confusion over the stewards’ initial decision to take no action on the Turn 1 incident, which negated the need to yield. Verstappen himself admitted the move “shouldn’t have happened,” but his frustration was palpable, hinting at deeper issues with tire strategy and race management.
Piquet’s statement comes as the Verstappen family navigates a turbulent 2025 season, marked by Verstappen’s first winless streak since 2021 and rumors of a potential move to Mercedes or Aston Martin. With a newborn daughter, Lily, born in May, Piquet has been a steadfast presence, balancing motherhood with supporting Verstappen through his on-track battles. Her five-word defiance has resonated with fans, framing the penalty as an attempt to undermine Verstappen’s resilience—a narrative that could galvanize his supporters as the championship fight heads to Canada on June 13-15. As the FIA faces mounting scrutiny, Piquet’s voice adds a personal layer to a technical dispute, keeping the spotlight firmly on Verstappen’s next move.
