Max Verstappen has taken the rare step of addressing his private life after finally getting fed up with vile rumours about girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
Brazilian model Piquet on Wednesday issued an emotional plea on her social media channels to denounce the hurtful rumours that have been circulating recently.
Ugly claims about her previous relationships in former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat and her four-year-old daughter Penelope.
Speculation from fan channels on Tik Tok have further fuelled rumours about Piquet — and distasteful comments attributed to her. She is adamant she never said the ugly comments that she is being accused of making.
Every qualifying session and race from the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
It has reached a point where the 35-year-old can no longer ignore the public trolling and cyber abuse.
In a lengthy statement released on her Instagram profile, Piquet says the comments attributed to her are “defamation”.
“A note from me and a gentle reminder to all…The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but a very scary one when wrong information and lies are thrown around,” she posted.
“I am unsure of the appropriate approach to address hate stemming from falsehoods. I have considered composing a response and letting it stand.
“For over 3 year I’ve been navigating a very strange and upsetting wave of accusations, rumours, fabricated situations, fake testimonials, photoshopped screenshots… you name it. All the while staying silent and not playing into these ridiculous claims.
“Accusations made in the past months especially have taken on another level of defamation. Those who know me know that I would never put myself in such positions, say certain things or act in such a way.
“I am far from perfect, but I do take pride in my values, morals and manner. Let that be clear.
“As a human being, the comments and hate affect me and the people around me deeply. I hop this serves as a reminder for people to verify online content before makeing threats.
“I hope those of you who have contributed to this take a moment to reflect on the real-life consequences of spreading lies and engaging in hate.
“Remember, as James Clear says, ‘Every action we take is a vote for who we want to be’. Let’s choose the better humans to ourselves and others.”
Verstappen’s own Instagram account responded with a message of support.
“This has to stop,” he wrote.
“These false accusations by certain individuals on Instagram and TikTok are insane and ridiculous at the same time. Hate has no place in this world. We know what’s true within our family and we are very happy together. I love you.”
Piquet has picked up a reputation for being the most glamorous so-called WAG on the Formula 1 grid.
The Brazilian started dating the flying Dutchman in 2020 — one year before he won the F1 World Championship for the first time, The Sun reports.
Their relationship has always attracted plenty of interest with Piquet being nine years’ older than the 25-year-old world champion.
Her high profile in the sport and her lifestyle as an Instagram influencer has propelled her social media reach to more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram.
Piquet is the daughter of disgraced F1 legend Nelson Piquet.
He won three world championships — 1981, 1983 and 1987 — driving for Brabham, Williams, Lotus and Benetton. However, he was last year fined $1.5 million over racist and homophobic comments made about Lewis Hamilton.
Kelly was previously in a relationship with Russian Red Bull driver Kvyat.
They had been dating since January 2017 and had daughter Penelope, months before they split up in December 2019.
And around a year later, Verstappen entered into a relationship with Kelly, going Instagram official in January 2021.
Ironically, Verstappen replaced Kvyat at Red Bull in the second half of the 2016 F1 season.
Verstappen says he gets on well with the three-year old, regularly sharing images with her online.
But has also firmly stated he has no intention of becoming her father figure.