Max Verstappen talks about the “sweet motivation” called Penelope, and shows the moment when she drives F1 24 with an incredible concentration that conquers the viewers
In the fast world of Formula 1, where every corner and every second counts, Max Verstappen often finds his peace and inspiration in the arms of a little girl who has stolen his heart. Penelope, the four-year-old daughter of his girlfriend Kelly Piquet, is not just another child in the life of the four-time world champion. She is his “sweet motivation”, as Verstappen himself describes it in a recent interview during the preparations for the United States Grand Prix. On his popular Twitch channel, the Dutchman recently shared a heartwarming moment that captured the hearts of millions of fans: Penelope behind the controls of F1 24, the latest racing simulation game, with a concentration that made even the seasoned driver smile.
It was a weekday evening in Monaco, where Verstappen and his family live a relatively quiet life amid the hustle and bustle of the F1 season. After a long day of training and meetings with Red Bull Racing, Verstappen settled down in front of his simulator setup. Instead of taking to the virtual court himself, he handed control over to Penelope. “She is only four, but when she does something, she does it with everything she has,” Verstappen said laughing during a live stream that attracted more than 200,000 viewers. Little Penelope, with her dark curls and a determined look in her eyes, gripped the controller as if it were the steering wheel of a real car. She chose the Monza track, a circuit that Verstappen himself adores for its speed and history.
What followed was pure magic. Penelope navigated her car – a bright blue Red Bull RB20, of course – through the chicanes with a focus that reminded many of the young Max himself. No distractions, no giggling; she bit her lip, narrowed her eyes and muttered instructions to herself: “Loosen the throttle, brake, steer!” Verstappen, sitting next to her, could hardly believe his eyes. “Look, she brakes perfectly in the corner. I can’t even do that with that concentration anymore,” he joked, as the chat exploded with emojis and comments like “The future champion!” and “Penelope for President!” The little driver finished her lap in a time that, while not world record-worthy, was astonishing for her age. Verstappen later uploaded the clip to his channel, with the caption: “My sweet motivation in action. This is why I race.”
For Verstappen, who will defend his title in 2025 in a season full of challenges with emerging rivals such as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, Penelope is more than a cute face in his stories on Instagram. She is an anchor point in a life full of pressure and expectations. “In the F1 world, everything is performance-oriented. Every mistake is magnified, every victory celebrated as a triumph. But with Penelope it is pure. She doesn’t ask for pole positions; she just wants me to come home and play,” he shared in a conversation with Dutch magazine Formula 1 Magazine. This “sweet motivation” helps him find balance. After a disappointing DNF in Australia earlier this year, it was Penelope who cheered him up by drawing a picture of a racing car – with Max in it, surrounded by hearts.
Their bond is not just a byproduct of his relationship with Kelly Piquet, the Brazilian model and daughter of former F1 driver Nelson Piquet. Since 2021, Penelope has been living with Verstappen in Monaco, and he proudly calls himself her “bonus dad”. The two share a routine full of small rituals: playing soccer together on the beach, or Penelope challenging him in Mario Kart – a game that often ends in laughter and hugs. But the moment with F1 24 takes their interaction to a new level. It shows how Verstappen, the man who seems unbeatable on the track, is vulnerable. “She teaches me patience. And concentration? Well, she’s mastered that better than me sometimes,” he admitted.
The video spread like wildfire on social media. Fans from all over the world responded with emotion. On Reddit, in the subreddit r/formula1, the clip was shared with thousands of upvotes, and comments like: “This is why we love Max – not just the champion, but the human being.” Even critics, who sometimes accuse Verstappen of being too fiercely competitive, melted. One fan tweeted: “Penelope runs F1 24 better than I drive my life. And Max’s reaction? Gold.” The moment came at a perfect time, just before the tripleheader in Asia, where Verstappen needs to regain his form after a few difficult races.
Yet there is more to this story than just cuteness. Verstappen uses these moments to reach a wider audience. His Twitch streams, which often attract hundreds of thousands of followers, mix F1 with gaming and family glimpses, helping him attract a younger generation of fans. “I want to show that racing is not just about winning, but about fun and connection,” he says. Penelope, with her innocent passion, embodies that perfectly. She already has her own fan club on TikTok, where videos of her “races” go viral.
As the 2025 F1 season rages on, with the climax in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi looming, Penelope remains Verstappen’s secret weapon. “She reminds me why I do this: for the thrill, but also for the people I love.” In a sport where emotions are often suppressed, this is a refreshing chapter. Penelope’s video in F1 24 is more than just a funny video; it is a symbol of hope, concentration and pure joy. And who knows? Maybe in a few years we will see a little Verstappen on the track – with Penelope at the wheel.
