Spending a couple of days strolling through the streets of Florence, immersed in history, enjoying fine cuisine, and visiting a few private locations away from the public eye, Max Verstappen chose this as his way to celebrate Valentine’s weekend after completing the first winter testing session in Bahrain. The Dutch driver arrived in the Tuscan city, as confirmed by our sources, to enjoy some quiet time with his partner Kelly Piquet, taking advantage of the city’s romantic atmosphere to spend the lovers’ holiday together. The short two-day break was possible thanks to a pause from his on-track activities and was spent with utmost discretion by both Max Verstappen and the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, with only a few photos emerging at the end of the weekend or candid shots alongside a few fans.
No cars this time? Possibly…
Unlike past trips, this Florence getaway does not appear to be linked to motorsport activities. There are no confirmations, but unlike previous occasions, Max may have chosen not to take advantage of Florence’s proximity to the Mugello Circuit, where he has often conducted private GT tests with his team, sometimes driving himself under a pseudonym, far from the Formula 1 spotlight. This time, love seems to have taken precedence over his usual track enthusiasm, allowing the four-time world champion to enjoy the city with Kelly Piquet, rather than focusing on laps and test runs. Even for someone with such a passion for driving, sometimes a romantic escape wins over the lure of the racetrack.
Verstappen the globetrotter
What is certain, however, is that Max Verstappen does not waste time when it comes to traveling the globe. After finishing the first winter testing session in Bahrain – the official opening of the 2026 Formula 1 season – the number 3 driver for the Milton Keynes-based team immediately flew to Italy to spend time with his partner. He is then scheduled to head back to the Persian Gulf, where he will be back on track from Wednesday for the second and final winter testing session of the F1 pre-season. This brief escape was squeezed into a very tight schedule, underscoring the tireless nature of “Super Max,” who always seeks to stay active, even when the Formula 1 calendar allows for a short break.
Max Verstappen’s brief romantic detour to Florence highlights the rare moments of normalcy that elite drivers seek amidst the high-pressure transition to the 2026 technical regulations. By choosing the quiet elegance of Tuscany over the roar of a GT engine at Mugello, Max Verstappen seems to have prioritized mental recharging before the grueling final tests in Sakhir. This balance of personal life and professional intensity is a hallmark of “Super Max,” ensuring he returns to the Red Bull cockpit with the focus required to defend his status as the grid’s benchmark. As he heads back to the Persian Gulf, the fans in Florence can boast that, for at least one weekend, the world’s fastest man was content to slow down and enjoy the view.
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