A remark posted on social media by Kelly Piquet’s mother sparked a small controversy in the Formula 1 paddock.
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A discreet controversy stirred behind the scenes of the Hungarian Grand Prix. Sylvia Tamsma, former partner of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet and mother of Kelly Piquet, criticized Alexandra Leclerc’s appearance on social media.
Pregnant, Charles Leclerc’s wife had attracted attention throughout the weekend with several elegant outfits in the paddock, where she was also accompanied by the couple’s dog.
Under a video posted on Instagram, Sylvia Tamsma then wrote: “In the 1980s, there was no fashion show in the paddock.”
A comment quickly deleted
The post quickly sparked many reactions.
Several internet users notably reminded that Kelly Piquet, Max Verstappen’s partner, is herself very present in the fashion world and regularly shares such content on social media.
Faced with criticism, Sylvia Tamsma eventually deleted her comment.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Alexandra Leclerc reportedly responded simply: “Ok, ok.”
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On her side, Kelly Piquet is said to have also expressed her embarrassment on social media after her mother’s statement.
A F1 attracting a new audience
This episode comes as Formula 1 continues its transformation into an entertainment product, far beyond the simple sporting aspect.
For several years, Liberty Media has been seeking to attract a wider audience by highlighting more the behind-the-scenes, the personalities of the paddock, and the lifestyle surrounding the championship.
According to figures provided by the F1 promoter, 42% of the global audience is now female, while three-quarters of the new fans gained in recent years belong to this audience.
In this context, media appearances of drivers and their close ones occupy an increasingly important place, even if they sometimes continue to cause some tensions.
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