Max Verstappen spends a lot of his free time participating in sim racing competitions. Earlier this week, the two-time world champion took part in the virtual 24 hours of Nürburgring, where he was competing for Team Redline, as always. However, his session was interrupted when his little best friend, Kelly Piquet’s daughter Penelope distracted him with a soft toy.
Verstappen, who started dating Piquet in 2021 lives with her at his apartment in Monaco. Piquet’s daughter from her previous marriage with Daniil Kvyat, Penelope, stays with them and has developed a close and sweet bond with Verstappen. However, if there is one thing Verstappen doesn’t appreciate, it is getting disturbed when he is taking part in a sim racing competition.
Currently, in the middle of a one-week break, Verstappen is taking part in the virtual 24 hours of Nürburgring, which is a demanding race. During his first stint on Saturday, Verstappen was locked in and pushing hard, as his stream suggested. However, Penelope came in and put a soft toy right in front of Verstappen’s face.
The Dutchman ignored her for the first time, but couldn’t let it go again. He pushed her soft toy away from his face when she brought it again and was visibly annoyed.
Kelly Piquet’s daughter is not allowed in when Max Verstappen is racing
Verstappen takes sim racing very seriously. There are other drivers in F1 like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc who spend their free time behind a wheel at home, taking part in sim races and esports events. However, they don’t make it a matter of life and death, as Verstappen does.
When Verstappen takes part in a virtual race or a series, he expects full focus and concentration on his part. As a result, the 25-year-old wants as less distractions as possible in the room, when he is competing. To avoid the same, he reportedly instructed Kelly Piquet to not let Penelope, or his cats into his room.
When Verstappen is streaming casually, he doesn’t mind young Penelope “tapping” him on the shoulder, or his cats running around his $35,000 sim racing setup. However, when it comes to race days, there’s a “10-meter radius” that Penelope or the cats aren’t allowed to cross.
Verstappen’s little best friend- Penelope
Penelope is spending the majority of her time with Piquet and her partner Verstappen at their Monaco home. Verstappen, who is a ruthless competitor on the track, has a soft heart that is weak for his family, away from it. He spends a lot of time with Penelope, having fun and playing games with her.
Often, when Verstappen is streaming for his fans, she comes up to him and pokes him, to get his attention which fans all over the world find adorable. Verstappen’s mother Sophie Kumpen even claims that, Verstappen knowing that he has Piquet and Penelope back home waiting for him, helps him focus better on race weekends.
