Oscar Piastri Shares Heartbreaking Loss, While Max Verstappen Welcomes a New Furry Friend

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri recently shared heartbreaking news with fans, revealing the passing of his beloved dog, Rosie. This emotional announcement came as Red Bull’s reigning four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen, welcomed a new addition to his family, a dachshund named Nino.

Oscar Piastri Faces Personal Loss Amidst Racing Success

Following a stellar debut season in 2023, Piastri secured two major race victories in the F1 2024 season, helping McLaren clinch their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years. His wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan contributed to a strong fourth-place finish in the Drivers’ standings, trailing teammate Lando Norris, who finished as the runner-up to Verstappen. With McLaren ending the season with the fastest car, Piastri’s focus is now set on the F1 2025 World Championship, where he aims to take his performance to the next level.

However, amid his professional triumphs, Piastri faced a personal loss. He took to Twitter to express his grief, writing: “Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Rosie recently, but Basil is still keeping us on our toes.” Rosie’s passing has deeply affected the McLaren driver, but he finds solace in his remaining pet, Basil, who continues to bring joy to his life.

Max Verstappen Welcomes Nino to the Family

As Piastri deals with his loss, Max Verstappen shared a more joyful update with fans. The Red Bull star introduced his new pet dachshund, Nino, into his home. Verstappen, who is known for his love of animals, already has three cats named Jimmy, Sassy, and Donatello. During a recent livestream, Verstappen amusingly noted, “His name is Nino, but he’s gone for a while now. I put his food here, and he wasn’t interested in me anymore!”

Verstappen’s household is set to become even livelier in 2025, as he and his partner Kelly Piquet—daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet—are expecting their first child together. Kelly Piquet already has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, and she is frequently seen at F1 race weekends supporting Verstappen.

Verstappen’s Father Dismisses Concerns About Performance

The news of Verstappen becoming a father sparked some debate within the F1 community. Long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that fatherhood could make Verstappen “three-tenths of a second slower” on the track. However, Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, dismissed such claims, stating that personal milestones can actually serve as motivation.

Jos commented: “Max has known for a while that he’s going to be a father. Just look at how he won in Brazil. He already knew then, and so did I.” He emphasized that the Dutch champion remains fully focused on his racing ambitions and is excited for the new chapter in his life.

With the 2025 F1 season on the horizon, both Piastri and Verstappen have their sights set on the championship—one fueled by determination after personal loss, the other inspired by the joy of a growing family.