Max Verstappen and girlfriend Kelly Piquet have announced that they are expecting their first child. 

The Formula One star and his model partner took to social media to confirm the news with their followers as they shared a heartfelt message on Friday morning. 

In a joint post across their Instagram accounts, the couple - with their faces out of shot - posed with their hands over Piquet's stomach. 

The caption read: 'Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn't be happier with our little miracle'.

It's yet another joyous occasion for Red Bull driver Verstappen, who won his fourth Formula One title last month after finishing ahead of Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. 

Meanwhile, Piquet, who is the daughter of former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet, has a high profile within the sport and online, currently boasting 1.5million followers on Instagram. 

Piquet has regularly been seen in the paddock supporting her partner and were seen sharing a victory kiss, following Verstappen's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory last year. 

Shortly after announcing the news, Verstappen was spotted walking in the paddock ahead of this year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Back in June, the Brazilian model was forced to issue a response on Instagram to unsavoury rumours and accusations that were made against her.

She stated that she had 'in the past three years been navigating a strange and upsetting wave of accusations', some of which relate to her previous relationships, with the 35-year-old having dated Russian Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat.

The 35-year-old began dating Kvyat in 2017 with the pair having a daughter, Penelope in 2019. The pair would split later that year, with Piquet going on to date Verstappen. 

Piquet addressed the accusations that were made against her on Instagram in an emotional statement asking social media users to think twice before posting rumours online.

'A note from me and a gentle reminder to all...' Piquet began. 'The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but a very scary one when wrong information and lies are thrown around.

'I am unsure of the appropriate approach to address hate stemming from falsehoods. I have considered composing a response and letting it stand'.

Reports claim the couple have dated since October 2020, though they only went public with their relationship on New Year's Day in 2021, sharing a romantic snap of them together on a beach in Brazil.

Announcing the news online, Max posted: 'Happy New Year everyone. Let's make 2021 a year to remember in many ways. Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.'

Meanwhile Kelly wrote: 'Love is what makes the world go round. Happy new year and much love #2021.' 

Later that year, the couple made headlines after being seen sharing an emotional embrace after Verstappen won his first F1 world championship at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Piquet was born in Homburg, Germany and had spent most of her childhood living in France before moving to Brazil. 

The Red Bull star snatched Lewis Hamilton's eighth victory away, after he overtook the Brit on the final lap of a thrilling and controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The good news comes as a welcome break for Verstappen who - despite his recent F1 title win - has been embroiled in controversy on the racetrack recently. 

Mercedes star and rival George Russell recently claimed that 'bully' Verstappen told him he would, 'put me on my f****** head in the wall.'

The British driver was providing his side of events after the world champion called him two-faced for the evidence he gave to the stewards in Qatar last Saturday night.

Verstappen was furious at being demoted a place after taking pole position for driving 'unnecessarily slowly' as they prepared for their final flying laps in qualifying, though he claimed the lead at the start and won the race.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi ahead of this weekend's concluding race, Russell hit back, saying: 'I find it all quite ironic considering Saturday night he said he'd purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, 'Put me on my f***ing head in the wall'.

'So to question somebody's integrity as a person while saying comments like that the day before, I find very ironic'.

The newly recrowned world champion was penalised for driving 'unnecessarily slowly' and impeding the Mercedes man as they geared up for their final flying laps at Lusail Circuit.

The stewards' decision – demoting Verstappen one place – came three hours after the action ended and gave Russell only his fifth career pole.

Both drivers were called to the stewards room to determine who was at fault during the qualifying exchange and Verstappen later fumed that he had lost all respect for the Englishman who he labelled as hypocritical and two-faced.

A public demonstration of discontent between the pair also saw Verstappen reject Russell's offer of a fist-pump before Sunday's race got underway, with the Red Bull ace passing his rival on the first corner and never looking back. 

Speaking at the time of his penalisation, Verstappen blasted Russell for what he perceived as disingenuous behaviour when the pair debated who was at fault in qualifying.

'He always acts very nice here in front of the cameras. But when you're in there it's a completely different person. I can't stand that,' he said. 

'I've been in that meeting room many times with people that I've raced. And I've never seen anyone trying to screw someone over that hard. I lost all respect. It was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty, and I was heavily p*****.'

According to Marca, Verstappen also said to Dutch media: 'He'd better go f*** himself, I don't want to have anything to do with him'.