Max Verstappen pet dog Nino terrorizes cats during his Twitch livestreams, bringing unexpected and funny distractions while the world champion focuses on sim racing. Verstappen, the Dutch Formula 1 driver, revealed this entertaining household dynamic during his streams in 2025 at his home where he also cares for three cats and his infant daughter Lily.
The 27-year-old Dutchman, known for his intense racing performances, has shown a soft spot for animals in his personal life. Alongside his new role as a father, Verstappen has a growing family of pets, including the Dachshund puppy Nino. During breaks from his F1 commitments, Verstappen often streams sim racing video games on Twitch, where his pets become frequent, and sometimes mischievous, participants.
The Mischievous Behavior of Puppy Nino and the Curious Cats
Verstappen described Nino as a loving puppy but admitted that the little dog tends to “terrorize” the cats around the house. While Nino himself causes minimal trouble to Verstappen and his family, his interactions with the feline companions have resulted in several humorous episodes. The world champion openly acknowledged the puppy’s playful antics that disrupt the calm of the cats, making life lively during his gaming sessions.
“Nino’s actually very sweet, to be honest. He does terrorize the cats a bit.”
—Max Verstappen, on a media day interview
Verstappen’s livestreams are often interrupted not only by Nino’s playful nature but also by other members of his household. His step-daughter Penelope and the three cats have made frequent cameos on his streams. Nino’s attempts to find a comfortable spot on Verstappen’s lap are sometimes mimicked by the cats, which leads to amusing complications during gameplay.
The kitten’s curiosity has even led to moments where one ended up wedged between Pedals of Verstappen’s sim racing setup, causing brief but notable interruptions to the racing action. This unexpected interference by his “Verstappets” highlights the challenges he faces balancing family, pets, and his demanding race career.
“Nino has tried to sit on my lap while I race, but the cats try that as well. Sometimes I have a cat stuck between the pedals.”
—Max Verstappen
Pets as a Source of Comfort Amid a Demanding F1 Season
The 2025 Formula 1 season has presented several challenges for Verstappen, yet his pets and family provide moments of warmth and humor during stressful periods. While Verstappen remains focused on closing the gap with his racing rivals, the playful antics of Nino and the cats offer light-hearted relief from the intense competition.
The addition of his daughter Lily to the family further enriches Verstappen’s personal life. With three cats and an energetic puppy to care for, alongside fatherhood duties, Verstappen’s household is lively and affectionate. Though he might be hesitant to add more pets now, caring for this growing family appears to bring joy amid the pressures of championship racing.
Verstappen’s Unexpected Choice of Music During Sim Racing Sessions
Aside from sharing stories about his pets, Verstappen also disclosed a humorous preference regarding the music he would enjoy while performing donuts on an F1 track or sim racing. Despite many drivers exploring music production or curating eclectic playlists, Verstappen indicated that his favorite “playlist” consists simply of engine sounds from classic Formula 1 cars.
“V10 engines.”
—Max Verstappen, during a Twitch livestream
This choice is particularly amusing in the context of ongoing debates within F1 about engine formats, especially considering the possibility of reintroducing naturally aspirated V10 engines to the sport. Verstappen’s answer reflects both his passion for racing heritage and his lighthearted side when away from the high-pressure environment of the track.
Family Life and Racing: Balancing Challenges and Joys
As Verstappen continues to compete at the highest level in Formula 1, balancing his personal life and racing ambitions remains vital. The presence of his dogs and cats, along with his daughter Lily, adds complexity but also comfort to his hectic schedule. Their playful interruptions during livestreams have become a charming and relatable aspect of Verstappen’s public persona.
Looking forward, Verstappen appears determined to maintain this balance while pushing for victories in the remainder of the 2025 season. Support from his family and pets may prove integral to helping the reigning world champion navigate both on-track challenges and life off the circuit.
