Paparazzi accidentally recorded the moment when Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet were preparing for a private wedding in their hometown. This caused a stir in public opinion.
In an unexpected turn that the world of Formula 1 has turned upside down, Paparazzi witnessed intimate preparations for what resembles a secret wedding between triple world champion Max Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet. The incident took place in Hasselt, the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 city of Verstappen in Belgium, and in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian roots of Piquet. The photos, which were taken unintentionally during a routine job of the photographers, show the couple in a busy conversation with a wedding planner, surrounded by monsters of wedding dresses and decorative pieces that are reminiscent of a tropical theme. This unveiling has led to a wave of speculation and discussion among fans, media and the general public, with mixed reactions ranging from excitement to criticism of the infringement of privacy.
Max Verstappen, the 27-year-old Dutch driver who brought in his fourth world title in Formula 1 this year, and Kelly Piquet, the 36-year-old Brazilian model and daughter of triple F1 champion Nelson Piquet, have been one of the most discussed couples in the motor sport world since 2020. Their relationship started discreetly in the Paddock of F1, where Piquet can often be seen as a supporting figure on the side of Verstappen. The couple lives together in Monaco and already shares a daughter, Lily, who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in 2025. Piquet also has an older daughter, Penelope, from an earlier relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Despite their public presence at races and social events, they have always preferred privacy when it comes to personal milestones. These ‘casual’ paparazzif photos break through that barrier in a way that the couple visibly shocked.
The images leaked through a gossip magazine that was initially looking for celebrity-sightings in the region. Instead of an everyday photo shoot, the cameras caught a moment when Verstappen and Piquet were sitting in a local café in Hasselt, with papers and laptops spread over the table. Piquet, dressed in a simple summer dress, seemed to look at samples of invitations, while Verstappen laughed and closed a ring box – a gesture that immediately led to rumors about an upcoming proposal or even an already planned ceremony. Later that week, similar scenes were spotted in Rio, where the few family members consulted about a possible ceremony on the beach. Sources close to the couple confirm that the wedding was planned as an intimate affair, away from the spotlights of the F1 world, with only a handful of guests from their direct circle, including family members such as Nelson Piquet and Verstappen’s parents, Jos and Sophie.
The public response was immediately and divided. On social media, Hashtags exploded such as #verstappenwedding and #kellymax wedding, with thousands of fans who shared their congratulations and created Fan-Art of the couple in wedding dress and tuxedo. “Finally! They earn this after all those years of support,” tweeted a prominent F1 account with tens of thousands of likes. Others, however, express concern about the privacy infringement. “Paparazzi have no respect for personal moments. Leave them alone!” A Belgian fan responded to X, former Twitter. In the Netherlands and Brazil the news led to debates about the role of media in the lives of celebrities. Journalists point to the tension between public interest and the right to privacy, especially for athletes such as Verstappen, who has been struggling with intense media attention for years. A recent poll among F1 followers showed that 62 percent are of the opinion that such incidents harm the popularity of the sport by disturbing the private life of drivers.
For Verstappen, known for its sober and direct personality, this news comes at a crucial moment. Just started the F1 season of 2025, he focuses on defending his title at Red Bull Racing. In a short statement through his team, he responded: “We appreciate the support of fans, but our private life is private. This was not how we wanted to announce it.” Piquet, who has its own platform as a model and influencer, shared a cryptic post on Instagram: “Love grows in silence, but sometimes the world breaks through.” Her father, Nelson Piquet, a legend in the sport, spoke against the paparazzi practices and recalled his own experiences with media in the 1980s. “It is a price that you pay for success, but it must have boundaries,” he said in a Brazilian interview.
This event also sheds light on the wider dynamics within the F1 community. While drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc openly celebrate their relationships, Verstappen chooses discretion, which strengthens his image as ‘the unbeatable Dutchman’. Experts predict that the wedding, if confirmed, will become a media event, with speculation about locations ranging from the Belgian Ardennes to the beaches of Copacabana. In the meantime, fans remain hoping for official confirmation, while the incident fuels the discussion about celebrity privacy. At a time when social media makes everything instant, this reminds us that even stars like Verstappen and Piquet struggle with the balance between fame and tranquility.
The commotion has not only filled the tabloids, but also led to solidarity, among other things, F1 couples. Friends such as António Félix da Costa, who recently married himself, shared supportive messages. Ultimately, this incident seems to only strengthen the bond between Verstappen and Piquet, in the midst of the storm. Whether the wedding continues as planned, remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: their story continues to touch the hearts of millions
