F1 fans were left disappointed after former three-time world champion Nelson Piquet Sr. was spotted in the paddock during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. The Brazilian is one of the most decorated drivers in F1 history as he won 23 races along with three titles in 1981, 1983, and 1987 during his time in the sport.
He retired from the sport at the end of the 1991 season after having driven for some iconic teams such as McLaren, Brabham, and Benetton. The 72-year-old’s daughter Kelly Piquet is a regular presence in the F1 paddock, in reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen’s garage.
Kelly Piquet’s father is a controversial figure in the sport given his comments on various topics. In 2022, he got banned from the paddock after he made some racist comments directed towards Lewis Hamilton for which he faced criminal proceedings as well.
Hence, some F1 fans were outraged after Nelson Piquet Sr. was spotted in the paddock during the ongoing Brazilian GP. They took to social media to give their reactions to the Brazilian being spotted on X, with one fan saying:
“You have GOT to be joking.”
“Nelson Piquet is in the paddock? Are you serious right now?”
“Lifetime bans are never truly for life in F1. Flávio being a prime example.”
Here are some more fan reactions to Piquet appearing in the paddock in Sao Paulo:
“I thought he was banned wtf??? said another fan.
“Wth is he doing here,” said another.
“They’re letting donkeys in the paddock now?” wrote another.
Max Verstappen opens up on his relationship with Kelly Piquet’s father
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen said that he and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet’s father Nelson Piquet Sr. did not talk about F1 whilst spending time together.
Speaking with FORMULA 1 Magazinethe Dutchman spoke about his off-track life and said (via the Mirror):
“What I do privately is nobody else’s business… I don’t follow that many Formula 1-related accounts or people anyway. I consciously ignore a lot of Formula 1 news, then at some point, it doesn’t pass by in my timeline either. Actually, I only follow other sports and athletes to get balance in my life that way. I don’t want – and especially when I’m at home – to know everything that’s going on in the paddock.
“That certainly also applies to family visits in Brazil, when I see my father-in-law [Piquet]. Then we really don’t talk about motorsport. He has talked more than enough about that in his life. At a certain point, you don’t feel like talking about it anymore either, you’re done talking about it. I do understand that there is more to life,” he said.
Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet recently completed four years as a couple. Kelly Piquet shared some posts on social media earlier this week, marking the couple’s anniversary.
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Edited by Eeshaan Tiwary
