Red Bull’s three-time Formula 1 world champion defended his girlfriend in response to her Instagram post calling attention to the abuse she was receiving, asking for common sense to prevail. The couple has been in a relationship since 2021.
What caused so much hate and trolling for Kelly to become so ugly and spread widely on social media?
According to Pink Villa, Kelly Piquet has often been at the center of controversy within the F1 community. Most recently, the ex-wife of former Formula 1 driver Jerome D’Ambrosio accused her of trying to end her marriage.
“Previously, she was also accused of ending Verstappen’s previous relationship and betraying her previous partner, father of her daughter Penelope, former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. These allegations fueled online hate, leading Piquet to defend herself publicly and clarify the truth,” the report states.
In response to Kelly’s post, 26-year-old Verstappen wrote, “This needs to stop. These false accusations from certain individuals on Instagram and TikTok are insane and ridiculous at the same time. Hate has no place in this world. We know what is true within our family and we are very happy together. I love you.”
This happened after Kelly, daughter of three-time Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet, wrote to her 1.5 million Instagram followers:
[Kelly Piquet’s Instagram post]
Transcription of Mrs. Piquet’s note: “A message from me and a gentle reminder to all… The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but it can also be very scary when false information and lies are spread.
“For over three years, I have been dealing with a very strange and disturbing wave of accusations, rumors, fabricated situations, false testimonies, doctored screenshots… you name it. Throughout all of this, I have remained silent and have not engaged with these ridiculous allegations.
“The accusations made in recent months, in particular, have reached a new level of defamation. Those who know me understand that I would never put myself in such situations, say certain things, or act in such a manner. I am far from perfect, but I am proud of my values, morals, and manners.
“Let’s be clear, as a human being, the comments and hate deeply affect me and the people around me. I hope this serves as a reminder for people to fact-check online content before making threats. Remember, as James Clear says, ‘every action we take is a vote for who we want to be.’ Let’s choose to be better human beings for ourselves and for others,” concluded Kelly Piquet’s post.
The main respondent was Verstappen. This alone raised doubts in the comments of the post about whether the message was actually written by the World Champion, given the extent of misinformation and misguided suspicion.
Last year, we reported that the governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, intensified its promised efforts to combat the widespread issue of online abuse by introducing a website to further promote the cause.
The rise of social media has reached a point where hatred, racism, and abuse, perpetuated by cyberbullies and provocateurs, have reached unprecedented levels online. Unfortunately, various platforms are reluctant to eradicate this threat due to the complex algorithms that dictate the flow of news worldwide.
Given that anyone can freely spread hate and abuse without facing significant consequences, it is evident that the pursuit of traffic and financial gain reigns supreme in the online world. Consequently, blocking these offenders would result in a substantial loss of traffic and revenue. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that news, including sports and Formula 1, is tainted by hidden agendas.
The dedicated website, www.unitedagainstonlineabuse.com, serves as a central hub offering resources, information, and support for the campaign’s mission. This initiative is guided by three fundamental principles:
In its launch in December of the previous year, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, declared war on online abuse, affirming the organization’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a welcoming and respectful sports environment for all individuals.
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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton made a shocking statement during a recent interview. Hamilton revealed that he is considering retiring from the sport at the end of this season. This will certainly surprise fans worldwide, as Hamilton is one of the most successful and popular drivers in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton explained that his decision to retire is related to several factors. He mentioned the desire to pursue other interests and challenges outside of car racing. Additionally, Hamilton expressed his concern for the sustainability of the sport and his willingness to engage in environmental issues.
At 39 years old, Hamilton has already won seven world titles and is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time. His Formula 1 career began in 2007, and he has been a dominant presence on the tracks ever since. If Hamilton does retire, it will be a major blow to Formula 1 and leave a difficult void to fill.
Fans and experts are speculating about who could replace Hamilton at Mercedes, his current team. Several names have been suggested, including young driver George Russell, who already replaced Hamilton in a race last year. However, Mercedes has not yet made any official announcement about Hamilton’s future or a possible replacement.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s fans are enjoying every race of this season, knowing that it could be the last time they see their idol on the tracks. Hamilton will certainly leave a lasting legacy in Formula 1 and his impact on the sport will be remembered for many years. Now, we just have to wait and see what the next chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s career will be.
