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As three-time reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is very well aware, with great fame comes great scrutiny, and unfortunately, with great success comes a lot of unnecessary hate.
This hatred has apparently bled over into Max Verstappen’s personal life because his model girlfriend Kelly Piquet, daughter of another three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet (who was fined $1.5 million last year over racist and homophobic comments made about Lewis Hamilton), addressed it on social media on Tuesday.
“A note from me and a gentle reminder to all…” Kelly Piquet wrote began her statement.
“The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but a 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.
“For over 3 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.
“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.
“I hope those of you who have contributed to this take a moment to reflect on real-life consequences of spreading lies and engaging in hate.”
Replying in the comments of Kelly Piquet’s post, Max Verstappen wrote, “This has to stop. 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.”
Neither Piquet, 35, nor Verstappen, 26, specifically stated any examples of the rumors, fabrications and hate that they are referring to, but Fox Sports Australia claims they probably have to do with some “ugly claims” about Piquet’s previous relationship with former Formula 1 Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat and their four-year-old daughter, as well as some distasteful videos that have been circulating on TikTok.
Verstappen coincidentally replaced Kvyat as a driver with Red Bull during the 2016 season.