WATCH: Max Verstappen kissing girlfriend Kelly Piquet after securing P2 in US Grand Prix Qualifying

Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet celebrated in a heartwarming fashion following Verstappen’s impressive performance in the US Grand Prix qualifying session. Despite narrowly missing out on pole position, the Dutchman’s P2 finish was a cause for celebration, and he shared a passionate kiss with Piquet as the excitement of the day culminated.

The 19th race of the Formula 1 season is set to take place in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, October 20, and the competition is heating up. Red Bull Racing had faced mid-season struggles, particularly with fierce challenges from McLaren, but Verstappen’s showing in the US GP qualifying suggests that both he and the team are back in form.

Verstappen was on a hot lap during the session, determined to claim pole position. However, his attempt was cut short when George Russell crashed in the final sector, bringing the session to an early end. Despite this, Verstappen still secured P2, finishing just 0.031 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.

Here is the video:

Max Verstappen kissing Kelly Piquet #USGP #USGrandPrix #MaxVerstappen #LandoNorris pic.twitter.com/sF0an7efND

— rkdfanclub (@RkdFanclub) October 20, 2024

Kelly Piquet, a constant figure of support for Verstappen, had been by his side throughout his recent difficulties on the track. She arrived in Austin ahead of the race weekend and was seen exploring the city, even snapping a photo with a ‘Max Verstappen’ mascot. Piquet, like many WAGs in Formula 1, has been a familiar face in the paddock, offering emotional support during both victories and setbacks.

A sigh of relief for Max Verstappen!

After a challenging few races, Verstappen’s return to form was a relief. His girlfriend’s presence seemed to offer him a boost, and the pair’s celebratory kiss showed just how much the moment meant to them both. Red Bull’s recent struggles, particularly in the last race where Verstappen was 20 seconds off the pace, seemed to fade away as he celebrated his improved performance.

Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Max Verstappen shared insights into why he missed out on pole position. He noted that while his first sector was strong, a mistake in Turn 19 during his initial run cost him valuable time. He was confident that without that error, pole position could have been his. “I lost quite a bit of lap time there (at Turn 19 on the first run), that would have already been enough for pole," Verstappen explained.