Verstappen reveals Kelly Piquet's reaction to racing again after F1 triple-header
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Max Verstappen has revealed how his partner Kelly Piquet reacted to the prospect of him spending yet another weekend racing in GT World Challenge, despite having already completed a demanding triple-header in Formula 1.
As recently confirmed by Verstappen himself, the Dutchman will return to GT racing on Saturday, 17 October, competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup season finale at Portimão.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion will get behind the wheel of the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO entered by his Verstappen Racing team, sharing driving duties with Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat. Among his rivals will be MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, who will compete in a BMW run by Team WRT.
The GT outing will come immediately after a demanding Formula 1 triple-header with Red Bull, which began in Baku, continued in Malaysia and will conclude this weekend in Singapore, where the first night race of the 2026 season is set to take place.
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Speaking to GPblog and other media in Singapore, Verstappen explained that Kelly's background in a family deeply involved in motorsport makes it easier for her to understand his passion for racing and his desire to compete beyond Formula 1.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The Dutchman revealed that they are exploring ways to combine his racing commitments with family time, including the possibility of spending time together during race weekends. He stressed that finding the right balance is important to both of them, with each willing to make compromises to ensure they can spend as much time together as possible.
Verstappen also pointed out that Piquet shares his enthusiasm for motorsport and has no objections to his additional racing activities. Her understanding of the demands of his career, combined with her own interest in racing, helps them manage his busy schedule while maintaining a healthy balance between his professional and personal life.
"I think it helps that she comes out of a family that races a lot, you know, so I think she can understand a lot better. You always try to also combine stuff, so even if, let's say, you will be racing, maybe you can combine it with going around with the family a little bit, even in a race weekend like that, so we're trying to see what we can do there.
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"But at the same time, also, she knows that I need to feel good and just be happy also, from both sides. So, we just try to always find compromises from my side, from her side, and try to spend as much time together. She doesn't mind it, I think she likes racing. It's not that she's against it, so that helps."
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