"Max Verstappen's Girlfriend Kelly Piquet Claps Back at Critics Over Their 9-Year Age Difference: 'He Was 19, So What?'"

MAX VERSTAPPEN’S girlfriend Kelly Piquet has responded to comments on their nine-year age gap.

The Brazilian model, 37, and the Formula One star, 28,

Kelly Piquet hit back at comments over her nine-year age gap with Max VerstappenCredit: Instagram / @maxverstappen1 She shared a throwback snap to when they first met in 2016

They welcomed a , naming her Lily.

But the couple

Piquet, the daughter of F1 icon Nelson Piquet and sister of ex-driver Nelson Piquet Jr, was

The pair enjoyed dinner together but did not start dating until four years later.

Piquet posted a throwback photo to the time they first met on social media.

She said: “Met this guy, the very next day he told me I was the love of his life.

“Little did I know 10 years later we’d be celebrating 5 years together and have a perfect baby girl.

“PS I absolutely did not have a magical night that night, but there was serendipity in the air.”

Piquet also revealed Verstappen was 19, not 18, when they first metCredit: Getty They began dating in 2020, four years after first being introduced to each otherCredit: Getty

However, one fan quickly responded by claiming that Piquet had met Verstappen when he was 18 years old.

This saw Piquet snap back at questions over their nine-year age gap.

And she also pointed out that Verstappen was actually 19 years old at the time.

Piquet declared: “He was already 19 but yeah, so what.”

Before getting together with Verstappen, Piquet had another daughter with former F1 driver Daniil Kyvat.

Verstappen admits helping raise Penelope has prepared him for life with baby Lily.

He said: “Luckily I did get a little bit of training with Penelope. Seeing her grow up for four years has been really nice.”

Piquet added: “I think we have a very healthy relationship, easy-going, we have a lot of understanding and support for each other.

“You would think the age difference could be a challenge, but so far things are going really well. I also appreciated how he treats Penelope, it’s so sweet to see.”