HE’S the three-time world champion – so it’s no surprise Formula One heavyweight Max Verstappen lives a life of luxury away from the track.
At just 26 he’s already making history, joining the likes of Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and future father-in-law Nelson Piquet by winning the Formula One drivers’ championship for the third time.
Unstoppable Max has a lot to show for his hard work and talent – including a staggering estimated fortune of £165million.
He also has a fleet of James Bond-inspired cars, a lavish seafront apartment in Monaco, and a stunning model girlfriend in Kelly Piquet.
Here, we take a closer look at his enviable life off the grid.
Eye-watering fortune
The son of F1 legend Jos Verstappen made his debut at the Australian GP in 2015 and is now one of the top earning drivers in Formula One.
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Last year he signed a five-year deal with Red Bull which has been described as one of the most lucrative in the history of the sport.
According to reports his contract is worth £45million a year – and is likely to increase given his impressive winning streak continues.
Max also benefits from endorsement deals from brands like G-Star RAW, Red Bull and EA Sports.
The Dutch driver also has his own MV merchandise company, selling caps, clothing and accessories.
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Despite his success, Max has hinted he may retire early.
Asked if he would like to race into his late thirties like other drivers, he replied: “No, absolutely no – no desire.
“No, I have my mind already set on what I want to do also outside of Formula 1.
“It’s a big passion of mine and I want to make that happen as well.”
Dating daughter of F1 legend
Max has been dating German-born Kelly, 34, the daughter of Nelson Piquet, for the last three years, and she’s regularly seen cheering him on trackside.
Although her father is worth over £164m, she’s made a name for herself as a model, public relations agent and motoring columnist.
She attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York where she graduated in International Relations with a major in Political Science and Economics.
Before her romance with Max she was in a relationship with Russian driver Daniil Kvyat, with whom she shares a daughter, Penelope.
Daniil made 110 Formula One starts from 2013 to 2020, and ironically when he was given the boot from Red Bull in 2016, it was Max who replaced him.
Max and Kelly went Instagram official when he posted a snap of them together on the beach with the caption: “Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways. Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.”
Since then they have been photographed together on numerous occasions looking loved up.
Kelly has graced the covers of several high-profile magazines including Vogue in the Netherlands and has fully embraced life as one of the world’s biggest socialites.
On Instagram she is followed by 1.2million fans and keeps them regularly updated with glam shots of herself and Max on holiday in exotic locations like St Tropez and Florida.
In one snap, she can be seen locking lips with the racer while her daughter smiles at the camera.
She has also uploaded pics of herself at glitzy dos like the Cannes Film Festival.
Living large
Like his fellow Formula One racers Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas, Max has chosen Monaco as his home, where he lives in a £13million rented apartment overlooking the Mediterranean.
He keeps his physical condition in top condition by working out on the balcony, which is kitted out with gym equipment and a frame for bungee pulls.
He has shared glimpses of his chic pad, which he and Kelly also share with their two Bengal cats, Jimmy and Sass.
In his spare time he likes to take the water on a Red Bull-branded jet ski, said to be worth around £16,000.
For all his travels around the world, Max is said to have bought a private jet from Sir Richard Branson, worth £12million, which costs over £830,000 to maintain.
Max has made sure the Falcon-900EX is customised to his expensive taste – it has a matt finish and brands Max’s logo of a lion on the tail fin, paying homage to the national animal of the Netherlands.
He travels in the jet when he has to travel long distances for races and often gives other Monaco-based drivers, like Daniel Ricciardo, a ride.
£5million car collection
Max’s personal car collection, worth an estimated £5m, is nothing short of impressive and rivals that of Hollywood stars.
After becoming the youngest ever racer to score a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, aged just 18, Max splashed out on a Porsche 911 GTS R3.
His car collection has been heavily inspired by James Bond – he owns a 007-type Aston Martin DB11, a follow-up to the DB10, driven in the movie Spectre.
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Alongside a 2018 Vantage and a DBS Superleggerais, Max is reported to have added an Aston Martin Valkyrie to his collection. According to reports, the vehicle is priced at a whopping £2.2million.
The manufacturer’s website describes the car as the closest anyone will get to having the Formula 1 experience on the road.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
