Max Verstappen caught his girlfriend Kelly Piquet off guard when he addressed what he’d like to do after retiring from his famed Formula One career.
Max Verstappen’s post-retirement intention to binge eat to his heart’s content was quickly thwarted by girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
The Dutchman is still only 27 years old, having entered the Formula One world so young. But he’s previously stated that he has no plans to continue racing into his late 30s.
His current contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, although he’s refused to commit his future with them past the end of next season, and if he does sign a new deal beyond that point, he’s vowed it will be his last in the sport.
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Being able to leave behind the rigorous regime appeals to Verstappen, particularly because he’d no longer have to watch his weight as religiously as he does now. He made that clear during the filming of Viaplay’s documentary, Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion, available now in the UK via Amazon Prime.
Both he and Piquet were on their way to a ceremony in September 2022 where he would be named an Officer of the Order of the Chamber of Nassau, one of the greatest honors in his native Netherlands. Given that the F1 summer break had just ended, they were questioned, “Nice holiday?”
“Yeah,” replied Piquet, daughter of motorsport icon Nelson, before Verstappen was quizzed: “Did you gain any weight, Max?” He answered: “Yeah, I gained three, three and a half kilos again. But I lost it in one week.”
“After 40, it doesn’t work like that anymore, I’m afraid,” the interviewer joked, prompting Verstappen to admit: “Oh, but when I’m 40, I’m not racing anymore. So then I can eat what I want.”
That comment didn’t sit well with Piquet, who resoundingly told him: “No, no, no.” A sheepish Verstappen responded: “No? I’m gonna become like a sausage roll.”
Piquet chuckled as she reiterated: “No.” She was also caught off guard by another of Verstappen’s post-retirement plans – trading four wheels for two.
He was asked: “Do you ever ride your motorbike?” Before explaining: “It’s still in the Netherlands.” Piquet interrupted: “Which bike?” To which her partner said: “My Harley [Davidson].”
She questioned: “You have a Harley? For what?” And he continued: “Well, exactly that. What would be nice is to maybe put it in the living room. Maybe it’s better in a few years’ time, I’ll have time to ride it with my fat belly on the tank, you know?”
“You can join the Hells Angels of Monaco,” she joked. The pair reside in the principality with Piquet’s daughter Penelope, renting a penthouse which features an indoor gym and a stunning balcony with views of the Mediterranean.
