Why Do People Dislike Kelly Piquet? Did She Change Max Verstappen?

If you think of Max Verstappen in the early years of his Formula 1 career, you’d picture a focused, ruthless driver who rarely shared details about his private life. But now? Max is not just the undisputed king of F1 but also a soon-to-be father. And who has been by his side throughout this journey? None other than Kelly Piquet.

However, Kelly isn’t universally adored. In fact, she’s one of the most controversial WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends of Sports Stars) in F1 history. But why do so many people dislike Kelly Piquet? Is she really the one who changed Max? Let’s dive in.

Who Is Kelly Piquet? The WAG With a Racing Pedigree

Kelly Piquet isn’t just another influencer who happened to date an F1 driver. She’s the daughter of Nelson Piquet, a three-time F1 World Champion. Born in 1988, she has made a name for herself as a model, journalist, and social media influencer. Before dating Max Verstappen, Kelly was in a relationship with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, with whom she shares a daughter.

This, however, is where the controversy begins. Many fans found it unsettling that she swiftly moved from Kvyat to Verstappen in 2020, sparking accusations that she was more interested in dating F1 drivers to maintain relevance than in genuine relationships.

Love or Opportunity? The Max-Kelly Relationship Controversy

There’s no denying that Max Verstappen has changed significantly since dating Kelly. He appears softer, more expressive on social media, and now, he’s preparing for fatherhood. But is this genuine love, or has Kelly subtly reshaped Max into the person she wants him to be?

Some fans believe Kelly has too much influence over Max, turning a once laser-focused racer into a domesticated family man. Others dislike how she’s omnipresent in his career, showing up at every major event and celebration, making it seem like she’s strategically positioning herself as an integral part of his success story.

Is Kelly Piquet Max’s Lucky Charm?

Statistically, since dating Kelly, Max Verstappen has been unstoppable, winning four consecutive F1 World Championships. This has led some fans to jokingly (or not) claim that she’s his “lucky charm.”

However, critics argue that Max’s dominance has nothing to do with Kelly but is purely the result of his immense talent, relentless dedication, and the superiority of his Red Bull car. They dismiss the idea that his success is linked to his personal life, saying it’s unfair to credit Kelly for something Max has worked tirelessly to achieve.

Internet Backlash: The Most Hated WAG in F1?

Under almost every Instagram post Kelly shares, negative comments flood in. Some call her a gold digger, others accuse her of “leeching off Max’s fame.” A few popular sentiments include:

“I don’t understand why Max is with her.”
“She just got lucky and found the right guy.”
“Max hasn’t been the same since he started dating her.”

However, Kelly also has her defenders. Some fans argue that the hate she receives is simply because she’s a successful, beautiful woman dating the best driver on the grid. They insist that people are just jealous, and that as long as Max is happy, no one else’s opinion matters.

Conclusion: A Powerful Woman or an Undeserving Target?

Love her or hate her, there’s no denying that Kelly Piquet has an undeniable presence in Max Verstappen’s life. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on who you ask.

Perhaps the backlash against Kelly is simply rooted in envy. After all, she’s the daughter of an F1 legend, a successful woman in her own right, and the partner of the most dominant driver in modern F1. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why she remains one of the most divisive WAGs in the sport’s history.