Kelly Piquet opens up about Verstappen's supportive side: 'He is a homebody'

Speaking on the Not Alone Podcast, the Red Bull Racing driver's partner explained the foundations of their relationship and how they are able to support each other in their professional lives.

"I am proud of the partner I am, of the mother I am, and also as my own person, because we wear different hats," the Brazilian began. She explained that she often sacrificed work opportunities because, for example, she didn't want to leave her two daughters at home alone."There's a lot of jobs I have to say no to and sometimes very cool jobs or high paying jobs. But honestly, if you don't find balance, the whole kind of partnership breaks down."

Piquet then explained that the four-time world champion supports her just as much. When he is not racing in Formula 1, he also takes care of Lily, the couple's first child together, who was born ahead of last year's Miami Grand Prix. "I'm very happy that I do have a good partnership where I support him. He supports me equally. He's always telling me to go out and and do what I have to do. And just a couple of weeks ago, I was in the States with my older daughter (Penelope) and Max was home with the baby and it worked, it was all good."

Piquet acknowledged that, because of Verstappen's demanding Formula 1 schedule, they simply have to plan around it more. "At the end of the day, we do revolve around his schedule. He is the main figure. His job is the most demanding. I'm very blessed that I can turn down jobs. I am okay to turn down jobs."

She then added that what also makes a difference is Verstappen's commitment to spending as much time at home with his family as possible. She explained that, in Miami, for example, she and Verstappen had similar schedules. "I think that the beautiful thing within this partnership is that we don't have to manage ego that much. Max is a person where he goes in, gets the job done and comes back home. He's a very much of a ‘homebody’. He enjoys family life.

"So it's great because I don't know how I could do it with someone that would constantly need to be at social events and demands a lot of time. And then that would eat up more into maybe my time where I could ‘shine and do my own things'. So I think he's learned also to adapt to me and to the growing schedule that I've had," she concluded.