Max Verstappen issued a defence of his girlfriend Kelly Piquet and called for an end to online abuse, after the Brazilian model issued a public response on Instagram to unsavoury rumours and accusations that have been made against her.
Piquet, 35, issued an emotional statement on her Instagram account on Tuesday asking social media users to stop spreading ‘falsehoods’ about her.
She stated that she had ‘in the past three years been navigating a strange and upsetting wave of accusations’, some of which relate to her previous relationships, with the 35-year-old having dated Russian Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat.
The post prompted Red Bull driver, Verstappen, to issue his public support to Piquet.
‘This has to stop. These false accusations by certain individuals on Instagram and TikTok are insane and ridiculous at the same time,’ the reigning Formula One world champion wrote on Instagram.
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Max Verstappen (right) issued a defence of his girlfriend Kelly Piquet (left) on Tuesday
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Piquet took to Instagram to blast false accusations that had been made against her
Verstappen posted a defence of his girlfriend in the comments writing, ‘this has to stop’
‘Hate has no place in this world. We know what’s true within our family and we are very happy together. I love you,’ he added with a heart emoji.
Piquet, who is the daughter of former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet, has a high profile within the sport and online, currently boasting 1.5million followers on Instagram.
Piquet addressed the accusations that have recently been made against her on Instagram in an emotional statement asking social media users to think twice before posting rumours online.
‘A note from me and a gentle reminder to all…’ Piquet began.
‘The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but a very scary one when wrong information and lies are thrown around.
‘I am unsure of the appropriate approach to address hate stemming from falsehoods. I have considered composing a response and letting it stand.
She was born in Homburg, Germany and had spent most of her childhood living in France before moving to Brazil.
The 35-year-old began dating Kvyat in 2017 with the pair having a daughter, Penelope in 2019.
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Unsavoury claims over Piquet’s (right) personal life had been made by social media users
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Verstappen (left) and Piquet (right) publicly announced they were in a relationship in 2021
The Brazilian model addressed the ‘insane accusations’ against her on her Instagram
Piquet wrote: ‘I am far from perfect but I take pride in my values, morals and manners’
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She asked social media users to be careful when sharing content online that could be hurtful
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Verstappen (right) and Piquet (left) shared a kiss after November’s Abu Dhabi GP
The pair would split later that year, with Piquet going on to date Verstappen.
Piquet has regularly been seen in the paddock supporting her partner and were seen sharing a victory kiss, following Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory in November.
She added: ‘For over three years 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.
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Piquet (left) is the daughter of ex-F1 driver Nelson Piquet and previously dated Daniil Kvyat
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Verstappen (right) currently sits top of the F1 Driver Standings ahead of next week’s Spanish GP
‘As a human being, the comments and hate affect me and the people around me deeply. I hope this serves as a reminder for people to verify online content before making threats.’
Verstappen currently sits top of the Formula One driver’s standings, 56 points clear of Charles Leclerc, heading into next week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
