Kelly Piquet has resumed her modelling career following the winter break, sharing a candid moment on social media as she balances professional commitments with motherhood. The Brazilian partner of four-time world champion Max Verstappen posted about carrying ten-kilogram baby Lily during her workday, humorously questioning whether it counts as a workout. The family recently returned from an extended vacation in Rio de Janeiro, where Verstappen, Piquet, and her daughter Penelope enjoyed the summer sun before the 2025 season kicked into high gear.
Piquet balances modelling career with new motherhood
The fashion model and columnist has wasted no time getting back to her professional schedule after welcoming Lily in late 2024. Piquet’s return to the modelling industry comes as Verstappen completes his pre-season testing duties with Red Bull Racing in Barcelona, marking the end of the off-season for the entire family. The social media post showing Lily at a work engagement resonated with working mothers worldwide, highlighting the universal challenge of balancing career demands with parenting responsibilities.
Piquet’s career has spanned fashion, sustainability advocacy, and digital content creation. Her work frequently takes her to photoshoots and brand collaborations across multiple continents, though the addition of Lily to the family has shifted some priorities. The Brazilian has been open about her journey into motherhood for the second time, sharing glimpses of family life while maintaining her professional identity separate from her high-profile relationship with the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen’s growing family unit ahead of 2025 campaign
The four-time world champion’s family structure has evolved significantly since he began his relationship with Piquet in 2020. Verstappen quickly embraced the role of bonus father to Penelope, Piquet’s daughter from her previous relationship with former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat. The Dutch driver has frequently been photographed attending school events and spending quality time with Penelope, demonstrating his commitment to the blended family dynamic.
Lily’s arrival in 2024 marked a new chapter for Verstappen, making him a biological father for the first time whilst maintaining his dominant position in Formula 1. The timing of the pregnancy and birth coincided with his championship-winning season, adding another dimension to his already packed schedule. Friends close to the couple have noted how Verstappen has managed to compartmentalize his professional intensity with genuine presence during family time, a balance many athletes struggle to achieve.
The Verstappen-Piquet household now navigates the complexities of two children at different developmental stages, with Penelope entering school age whilst Lily requires constant attention typical of infants. This dynamic has required careful coordination between both parents’ schedules, particularly during the gruelling 24-race Formula 1 calendar that sees Red Bull Racing travelling across five continents.
Rio de Janeiro vacation provides family bonding time
The extended break in Brazil offered the family a rare opportunity for uninterrupted time together before the intensity of the racing season resumes. Rio de Janeiro holds special significance for Piquet, whose father Nelson Piquet is a three-time world champion and Brazilian motorsport icon. The city provided a backdrop for beach outings, family gatherings, and the kind of normalcy that proves elusive during the racing calendar.
Verstappen’s presence in Brazil also coincided with sponsor commitments and media appearances, though the primary focus remained on family time. The vacation allowed the Dutch driver to disconnect from the technical debriefs and performance analysis that dominate his professional life, instead focusing on developing his bond with Lily during her crucial early months. Paparazzi images from the trip showed a relaxed Verstappen, a stark contrast to the focused intensity he displays in the paddock.
The timing of the Brazilian vacation proved strategic, falling between the final post-season commitments and the start of pre-season testing. This window allowed both Verstappen and Piquet to be fully present without the distractions of immediate professional obligations, creating memories before the inevitable separation that comes with the European racing season.
The reality of working parenthood in high-profile relationships
Piquet’s social media commentary about carrying Lily during work engagements touches on broader conversations about working mothers in demanding careers. The fashion industry’s expectations for availability and presentation remain rigorous, whilst infant care requires constant attention and flexibility. Her humorous framing of the situation demonstrates an awareness of these competing demands without diminishing either role.
The logistics of managing childcare whilst both parents maintain high-level careers requires significant coordination and support systems. Piquet and Verstappen both travel extensively for their respective professions, necessitating careful planning around race weekends, photoshoots, and family time. The couple has remained relatively private about their specific arrangements, though Piquet’s social media presence offers occasional glimpses into their approach.
The ten-kilogram weight Piquet referenced in her post represents more than just physical burden. It symbolizes the constant presence of parental responsibility that continues regardless of professional context. Her ability to integrate Lily into her work environment when possible reflects a pragmatic approach to the impossible standards often placed on working mothers, particularly those in public-facing roles.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season demands
As Verstappen prepares to defend his world championship with the RB21, the family dynamics will face their first full-season test with Lily in tow. The 2025 calendar includes several long-haul trips and consecutive race weekends that will challenge the family’s ability to spend time together. Piquet has indicated her intention to attend selected races, though the logistics of travelling with an infant may prove more complex than previous seasons with just Penelope.
The conclusion of testing in Barcelona signals the start of serious competition, with the Bahrain season opener rapidly approaching. Verstappen enters the campaign facing renewed challenges from Ferrari with Lewis Hamilton joining Charles Leclerc, plus continued pressure from McLaren’s impressive development trajectory. The mental space required to maintain championship form whilst adjusting to fatherhood represents uncharted territory for the Dutch driver.
Piquet’s career commitments will similarly intensify as fashion weeks and brand campaigns ramp up through the spring months. The couple’s ability to coordinate their schedules whilst ensuring both children receive adequate parental attention will define their family rhythm for the coming months. Their willingness to share selective moments publicly offers a humanizing glimpse into the realities behind the glamorous facade of Formula 1’s elite.
