JULY 31, 2026
Piquet mother takes swipe at Leclerc's paddock style
A minor Formula 1 WAG dispute has erupted after Sylvia Tamsma, the former partner of triple world champion Nelson Piquet and mother of Max Verstappen's partner Kelly Piquet, criticised Alexandra Leclerc's Hungarian GP paddock appearance.
© Ferrari
Alexandra, who is visibly pregnant, attracted attention at the Hungaroring with a series of high-fashion outfits while accompanied by the couple's dog.
Tamsma reportedly commented beneath an Instagram reel featuring Charles Leclerc's wife: In the 80s we didn't have a fashion show in the paddock.
The remark was later deleted after prompting criticism, including questions about Kelly Piquet's own prominent fashion forays.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alexandra reportedly responded only: Ok, ok,
while Kelly apparently used social media to express embarrassment over her mother's comment.
The spat comes as Formula 1 increasingly promotes itself as a broader entertainment and lifestyle product, with Liberty Media claiming women now represent 42 percent of its global audience and three-quarters of recently acquired fans.
(GMM)