Oscar Piastri Mourns Loss of Beloved Dog as Max Verstappen Welcomes a New Pet
McLaren’s rising star, Oscar Piastri, has shared the heartbreaking news of his dog Rosie’s passing. The Australian driver, who had an impressive 2024 season, revealed the sad update on social media, noting that his other dog, Basil, remains a source of energy and comfort for the family.
Piastri posted on Twitter: “Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Rosie recently, but Basil is still keeping us on our toes.” Rosie’s passing comes at a reflective time for the young driver, who enjoyed significant success last year, including two race victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan. These wins contributed to McLaren clinching their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years.
The 2024 season saw Piastri finish fourth in the Drivers’ standings, trailing his teammate Lando Norris by 82 points. Norris secured second place behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time World Champion. With McLaren ending the season with the fastest car, Piastri is poised to challenge for his first World Championship in 2025.
While Piastri grieves his loss, Verstappen has shared happier personal news. The Dutch driver introduced a new addition to his family – a dachshund named Nino. During a recent livestream, Verstappen joked about the puppy’s playful independence, saying, “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 growing family of pets, which includes three cats: Jimmy, Sassy, and Donatello. The Red Bull driver’s household is set to become even livelier in 2025, as Verstappen and his partner Kelly Piquet are expecting their first child together. Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet, has a five-year-old daughter, Penelope, from her previous relationship with former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat.
However, Verstappen’s impending fatherhood has sparked some debate within the F1 community. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s veteran team adviser, speculated that becoming a parent might slightly impact Verstappen’s performance. Speaking to German outlet RTL, Marko said, “Generally, people say that after their first child, drivers are three-tenths slower. That would mean Max will be within reach of some of the top drivers, but he would still be a bit ahead. So there’s no problem.”
Marko’s comments were met with skepticism, particularly from Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, who dismissed the notion that fatherhood would slow down his son on the track. The younger Verstappen has shown no signs of losing his competitive edge, remaining a dominant force in Formula 1.
As the 2025 season approaches, both Piastri and Verstappen find themselves at pivotal moments in their lives. Piastri looks to build on his promising career, while Verstappen balances his personal and professional responsibilities, aiming to secure a fifth consecutive World Championship. Both drivers continue to capture the hearts of fans, not just for their on-track achievements but also for the personal moments they share off the grid.
