Although Formula 1 fandom tends to vary from region to region, it’s nonetheless considered the premiere, prestigious international racing league. While Americans have as big a place in their hearts for NASCAR, those with less enthusiasm for stock cars will find their home in this arena.
When people become invested in their favorite racers, they want to know more about their lives, including their relationships. While it’s true that many racers share a desire to keep their personal lives private with other celebrities, others are a little more willing to give fans a peek behind the curtain.
Flavy Barla, girlfriend of Esteban Ocon
After his five-year relationship with model Elena Berri ended, Her World Singapore reported that Esteban Ocon ended the 2023 F1 season in the company of Flavy Barla. She’s a 21-year-old medical student who dreams of being a surgeon one day.
That’s certainly an ambitious pursuit, but her beauty has also been officially recognized in France. That’s because she won the title of Miss Cote d’Azur in 2022, which put her in the running for Miss France. However, she didn’t end up taking the biggest prize, finishing as fifth runner-up.
Kelly Piquet, girlfriend of Max Verstappen
Although People reported that Kelly Piquet is a model and former stylist assistant, she also has a connection to the world of Formula 1 through her father. That’s because he is former F1 racer Nelson Piquet. She also has a daughter named Penelope by another racer named Daniil Kvyat.
However, 2020 saw her start a new chapter with Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen, which the couple confirmed on Instagram in early 2021. The couple has been relatively quiet about their relationship since then but have nonetheless been photographed together fairly often.
Rebecca Donaldson, girlfriend of Carlos Sainz
Although Scottish model Rebecca Donaldson and Ferrari racer Carlos Sainz have yet to explicitly confirm their relationship, People reported that they’ve had multiple affectionate moments photographed since the two met in Italy in 2023. She has also been a consistently supportive presence at Sainz’s races since this meeting.
As for Donaldson herself, She’s represented by Brand Model Management and has made a wide variety of featured appearances in the fashion and beauty worlds, including cover appearances on Marie Claire Mexico and Vogue Ukraine.
Carola Martinez, wife of Sergio Perez
As is the case for many racing couples, Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez and his wife Carola Martinez were quiet about their relationship for a time. According to People, however, this changed after they welcomed their son Sergio Perez Jr. into the world in 2017, and married a year later.
Although little is known about Martinez herself, People did report that she was also 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and met Perez in her 20s. The couple have since had three additional 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and Martinez has shown steadfast support for her husband’s racing.
