Oscar Piastri shares heartbreaking news; Max Verstappen welcomes new recruit
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Oscar Piastri shares heartbreaking news about his dog, while Max Verstappen welcomes a new dachshund into his family and prepares for fatherhood.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri shared emotional news this week, announcing the passing of one of his beloved dogs. Meanwhile, reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen revealed he has welcomed a new dachshund into his family.
Oscar Piastri mourns loss of his dog Rosie
Oscar Piastri has been riding high after a successful 2024 Formula 1 season, where he secured two race wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan. These victories played a key role in McLaren clinching their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years. Piastri finished fourth in the Drivers’ standings, 82 points behind teammate Lando Norris, who ended the season as runner-up to Verstappen.
As the Australian gears up for a potential title challenge in F1 2025, he took to Twitter on Sunday to share heartbreaking news about his dog Rosie’s passing. Rosie is survived by Basil, Piastri’s other dog, who continues to keep the household lively.
“Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Rosie recently but Basil is still keeping us on our toes,” Piastri wrote.
Max Verstappen welcomes new family member
While Piastri mourned his loss, Max Verstappen shared a more joyful update. The Red Bull star introduced Nino, a dachshund, as the latest addition to his family. Verstappen, already the proud owner of three cats—Jimmy, Sassy, and Donatello—revealed Nino’s name during a livestream over the weekend.
“His name is Nino, but he’s gone for a while now. I put his food here, and then he wasn’t interested in me anymore!” Verstappen joked.
Verstappen prepares for fatherhood
Verstappen’s family is set to grow even further in 2025, as he and his partner Kelly Piquet are expecting their first child. Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, already has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat.
The news of Verstappen becoming a father has sparked mixed reactions in the F1 paddock. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that fatherhood could slow Verstappen by “three tenths” on track, but added it would still leave him ahead of most rivals. Verstappen’s father, Jos, dismissed such claims, stating that the Dutchman’s performance remains unaffected.
“That’s nonsense. It just motivates him,” Jos Verstappen told De Telegraaf. “Max already knew he was going to be a father at last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, where he won from 17th on the grid. That’s the kind of focus he has.”
Looking ahead to F1 2025
With McLaren entering 2025 as reigning Constructors’ champions and Verstappen leading Red Bull, the stage is set for an intense battle. Oscar Piastri’s rising star, combined with Verstappen’s established dominance, ensures that the upcoming season will be one to watch.
As F1 fans await the season opener in Melbourne on March 16, the personal moments of these drivers remind us that behind the helmets are stories of triumph, loss, and life off the track.
