In a recent candid interview, Kelly Piquet shared one of her favorite and funniest summer memories with Max Verstappen that perfectly captured his playful side. While paddleboarding during a rare getaway, a spontaneous hug from Max knocked her completely off balance, sending her splashing into the water. “It was supposed to be romantic,” Kelly laughed. “But it ended with me soaked and Max laughing so hard he nearly fell in too!”

The story, shared just days before the Austrian Grand Prix, comes as fans speculate that Max, Kelly, daughter Lily, and Kelly’s daughter Penelope may have taken a quiet pre-race family escape to recharge. The Verstappen household, once so private, is now glowing with warmth and increasingly full of wholesome chaos.

From championship battles to paddleboard spills, it’s clear Max is embracing life far beyond the racetrack. And if this mini getaway is any sign, his greatest victories might be happening off the podium.