Model girlfriend breaks down as Max Verstappen makes F1 history
The only person perhaps more emotional than Max Verstappen after his historic Formula One world title was girlfriend Kelly Piquet, who broke down in tears in powerful scenes after the race.
Red Bull's Verstappen capped off one of the most exciting seasons in F1 history with a fittingly dramatic win over Lewis Hamilton at Abu Dhabi, after passing his Mercedes rival on the final lap.
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Verstappen's win came under the cloud of two protests from Mercedes that were ultimately waved away as the 24-year-old was crowned world champion for the first time.
The Dutchman's girlfriend Piquet - daughter of F1 legend Nelson - couldn't contain her emotions after watching the momentous occasion unfold at trackside.
Cameras captured Piquet wiping tears from her eyes and clapping wildly as Verstappen stepped on to the podium to be crowned world champion.
The Brazilian model also posted a number of congratulatory messages on her Instagram story as she celebrated her boyfriend's incredible achievement.
The couple began dating at the end of 2020, before going public with their relationship at the start of this year.
“Happy New Year everyone,” Verstappen wrote alongside a snap of him and Piquet at the beach. “Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways.
“Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.”
Piquet, 33, has F1 in her blood with her famous father Nelson winning three world championships in the 1980s.
Despite the fact his girlfriend's father is motorsport royalty, Verstappen says he did not seek advice from the Brazilian when they first met.
“We didn’t talk about it because I don’t need advice,” Verstappen said.
“I know what to do in the car and I don’t have to ask anyone. Better to spend some time with the family.”
Max Verstappen wins after Mercedes protests waved away
Verstappen's win was shrouded in controversy after race director Michael Masi's safety car decision shaped the incredible season-ending F1 championship climax.
The Aussie motorsport official was slammed, praised and given plenty of sympathy in turn over his fateful, pressurised call to allow the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to resume for one last, momentous lap.
His late ruling enabled Verstappen to overtake Hamilton and win both the race and world title.
Masi found himself facing fury from Mercedes over his handling of the ending of a terribly-timed safety car period after Nicholas Latifi's late crash.
When the all-clear was given to resume racing, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told the Australian over the radio: "Michael, this isn't right!"
Yet even after Wolff complained again, Masi stood his ground, defending his decision with the sharp response: "It's called a motor race. We went car racing."
Red Bull chief Christian Horner, naturally, praised Masi's decision to let racing recommence, saying: "The race director in difficult circumstances made absolutely the right call."
Mercedes immediately launched two appeals against the result, one against Verstappen for allegedly overtaking under a safety car and a second claiming a breach of rules regarding race restarts following a safety car period.
Both were dismissed after the two teams spent hours in the stewards' office, Verstappen able to toast his title more than four hours after crossing the finish line.
"It's unbelievable. I kept fighting the whole race. I had the opportunity in the last lap. It's incredible, I'm still having a cramp. It's insane," Verstappen said afterwards.
with agencies
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