Athletes fall back upon family at times of stress. So when parts of their family break away, it causes devastation. Oscar Piastri is currently a gigantic prospect on the F1 grid. After his debut with McLaren Racing in 2023, the Australian speedster has been a force to reckon with. In 2024, he notched up two Grand Prix wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan. However, ahead of the 2025 season, Piastri is dealing with heartbreak.

Family members like one’s parents, spouses, or siblings are usually there to uplift one’s spirits. But sometimes the love stems from a furry canine creature as well. For Oscar Piastri, his dog was special. He usually kept a quiet profile about his personal life – but he could not help but share his recent tragedy.

Oscar Piastri pays tribute to a dear friend

Formula One drivers have eclectic ways of spending time off the racetrack. During the Paris Olympics summer break in 2024, they publicly posted their activities. Lewis Hamilton paid a visit to Senegal for a meeting with Mozambique refugees, while Fernando Alonso took up go-karting. Lando Norris spent precious time in an animal rescue center, while Charles Leclerc shared snaps of his fun time with Leo, his dog. In the meantime, Oscar Piastri kept a low profile, staying true to his calm and collected demeanor. Only recently did we learn that he is a fellow dog lover like Norris and Leclerc. However, his reveal was not a happy one.

The McLaren Racing driver broke the silence about his emotional support at home. He had two adorably furry dogs at home, named Rosie and Basil. However, Rosie could not make it through her ailing health, and Oscar Piastri shared the tragic news on Instagram. “Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Rosie recently but Basil is still keeping us on our toes.” Accompanied alongside this sad caption was a carousel of heart-warming pictures showcasing better times. Both Rosie and Basil are visible, making the perfect case for a house filled with love.

His family has always meant everything to Oscar Piastri. His parents are his loudest cheerleaders in Piastri’s blooming racing career. Right from reading bedtime stories to getting him his first remote-controlled car, his parents were there every step of the way. A 6-year-old Piastri defeated competitors 4-5 times his age at a remote car-controlled event in Melbourne. That paved the path for a glittering career, where he rose through the ranks of karting, F4, F3, and F2, winning F3 and F2 championships in 2020 and 2021 respectively, and finally F1 where he joined McLaren Racing. Chris Piastri, Oscar’s father, claimed that he spent up to $6.5 Million to help his son realize his dreams.

What can your family not do for you? Even F1 fans know how invaluable Rosie was in Oscar Piastri’s life.

Fans rally behind Piastri in difficult times

As aforementioned, Oscar Piastri likes to keep his personal life away from the spotlight. So after he posted about his furry friends, it was apparent how much he loved them – he wanted to share that with his fans. That is what one Piastri fan pointed out, and lent their support to the driver during these difficult times: “you gave me dog content for the first time and it’s with this news 😔 im so sorry osc.” What is more, the dog lover community is vast and extensive across the world. Fans made it aptly clear that losing an adorable baby like Rosie is no less than losing a beloved family member. Somebody made this emotion clear in their comment: “Rip Rosie big hugs Oscar 💔💔🐾🐾🕊🕊🕊🌈🌈🌈” Another canine lover chimed in with the same sentiment, harping on how gorgeous Piastri’s pets are, “such sweet babies oh goodness ):”

Quad Lock, an Australian phone case innovator, had roped in Oscar Piastri as its global ambassador in 2023. This multi-million-dollar partnership also resulted in a heart-warming gesture. Quad Lock also shared its condolences for Piastri’s dog Rosie. “Sorry to hear Piastri fam 😢❤️‍🩹” Other fans expressed genuine concern for the tattered conditions of the family after losing Rosie. The one most affected may be the little one’s canine friend Basil, who was a lifelong companion. A fan commented: “give basil extra cuddles for us, he’ll be feeling this the hardest. sending love to you all 🤍”

Evidently, Oscar Piastri’s loss has shaken his fanbase. May Rosie rest in peace, as she has all of our love!