Oscar Piastri’s Heartbreak; Max Verstappen Welcomes New Recruit
Oscar Piastri, the rising McLaren star, recently shared devastating news about the loss of one of his beloved pets. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s reigning four-time World Champion, has joyfully welcomed a new dog into his family.
Oscar Piastri Mourns the Loss of Rosie
In a heartfelt social media post on Sunday, Oscar Piastri revealed that one of his dogs, Rosie, had passed away. The Australian driver shared his grief with fans while mentioning that Rosie’s companion, Basil, continues to bring joy to the Piastri household.
He wrote on Twitter:
“Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Rosie recently, but Basil is still keeping us on our toes.”
This news comes after a phenomenal 2024 season for Piastri, where he claimed two race wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan. His stellar performances helped McLaren secure their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years, with Piastri finishing fourth in the Drivers’ Standings.
As Piastri prepares for the 2025 season, he’s undoubtedly focused on achieving his first World Championship, solidifying his status as one of F1’s brightest prospects.
Max Verstappen Welcomes Nino, a New Dachshund
On a lighter note, Max Verstappen has introduced a new member to his family—a dachshund named Nino. During a recent livestream, Verstappen humorously shared details about his furry friend:
“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!”
Nino joins Verstappen’s already lively household, which includes three cats: Jimmy, Sassy, and Donatello.
Verstappen Prepares for Fatherhood
Adding to the excitement, Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet, are expecting their first child together.
Piquet’s daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with ex-Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, is a familiar presence at race weekends. With their growing family, Verstappen’s home is set to become even more dynamic.
However, Verstappen’s impending fatherhood sparked some debate within Red Bull. Team adviser Helmut Marko speculated that becoming a parent might slow Verstappen by three-tenths of a second per lap.
Marko told German outlet RTL:
“Generally, people say that after their first child, drivers will be three-tenths slower. That means Max will be within reach of some top drivers, but he’d still be ahead. So, no problem.”
These remarks were swiftly dismissed by Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who argued that fatherhood would likely motivate his son rather than hinder his performance.
Jos revealed that Max already knew about the pregnancy during last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, where he staged a remarkable comeback to win from 17th on the grid.
He told De Telegraaf:
“Max has known for a while he’s going to be a father. That thought hasn’t bothered him at all. Look at how he won in Brazil—he already knew, and so did I.”
2025: A Season of Big Changes for Piastri and Verstappen
As both drivers gear up for the upcoming F1 season, their personal and professional lives are evolving significantly.
- Oscar Piastri: After a breakthrough season, he’ll aim for his first Drivers’ Championship while navigating the emotional loss of Rosie.
- Max Verstappen: With Nino and the prospect of fatherhood, Verstappen is embracing new roles off the track while striving to defend his title on it.
Key Highlights
- Oscar Piastri’s Heartbreaking Loss: The McLaren driver mourns his dog Rosie but remains focused on challenging for a championship in 2025.
- Max Verstappen’s New Dachshund: The Red Bull star welcomes Nino, adding joy to his household of pets.
- Fatherhood for Verstappen: As he prepares to become a parent, Verstappen faces new dynamics on and off the track.
- F1 2025 Outlook: With Verstappen aiming for a fifth title and Piastri chasing his first, the season promises intense competition.
The 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle, with both drivers set to navigate personal milestones and fierce rivalries on the road to glory.
