Did Max Verstappen steal Daniil Kvyat’s girlfriend? The story behind the biggest F1 controversy

The personal lives of Formula 1 drivers often generate as much interest as their on-track performances, and one such story involves Max Verstappen, Kelly Piquet, and Daniil Kvyat. The relationship between Verstappen and Piquet sparked widespread attention, but the drama stems from Piquet's past romance with Kvyat, who claims Verstappen "stole" his girlfriend.

Kelly Piquet, daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet, began dating Daniil Kvyat, a former F1 driver, in 2017. Their relationship lasted for two years, during which they welcomed a daughter, Penelope, born in July 2019. However, their relationship ended later that year, and the F1 world soon learned that Piquet had moved on with none other than Max Verstappen, a rising star on the circuit and a former teammate of Kvyat.

While many fans celebrated the new couple, Kvyat was left heartbroken. Reports from Business F1 Magazine revealed Kvyat’s feelings of betrayal, with the driver accusing Verstappen of having "stolen" his partner. This sentiment was not surprising, given the circumstances surrounding the end of his relationship with Piquet and the timing of her new romance with Verstappen.

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In January 2021, Piquet and Verstappen made their relationship public through an Instagram post that was filled with love and positivity. Piquet shared a photo of the two with the caption, "Love is what makes the world go round." However, this announcement only deepened the wound for Kvyat, who was reportedly furious about the quick turn of events.

Adding to the tension, Kvyat’s F1 career had already suffered a significant blow in 2016, when Red Bull demoted him to make room for the rising star Verstappen. Kvyat had been racing for Red Bull, but following a series of underwhelming performances and a high-profile crash in the Russian Grand Prix, Red Bull made the controversial decision to replace him mid-season with the younger Verstappen. This swap not only stung Kvyat professionally but, as fate would have it, personally as well.

The relationship between Verstappen and Piquet wasn't without its intrigue. Piquet revealed that she and Verstappen had first met in 2016 during a dinner in Monaco when she was still with Kvyat. She recalled a "magical" connection that night, although she was hesitant to pursue anything due to their nine-year age gap. Fast forward a few years, and their paths crossed again, this time leading to the beginning of their romance.