In the middle of a high-profile custody dispute with his ex-girlfriend, musician Grimes, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made headlines once again — this time not for business or innovation, but for bringing his three-year-old son to a major sporting event. Over the weekend, Musk was seen attending the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, accompanied by his son X Æ A-Xii, drawing both media attention and public speculation.
The outing comes at a sensitive time, as Musk and Grimes — real name Claire Boucher — are currently entangled in a legal battle over parental rights. The case, which has been playing out both in court and the media, involves questions of primary custody, residence, and co-parenting arrangements for their young child.
Dressed casually and appearing relaxed, Musk was photographed in the paddock area at the Circuit of the Americas, interacting with fans, engineers, and drivers. Little X, as the child is often called, appeared to be enjoying the excitement of the racing environment, wearing protective headphones and a Formula One team cap.
Observers noted that Musk seemed intent on maintaining a sense of normalcy during what is undoubtedly a tense period in his personal life. “He was clearly focused on giving his son a fun, memorable experience,” said one event attendee. “It felt like a moment of escape for both of them.”
The custody dispute with Grimes became public earlier this year after court filings revealed that Musk had filed for legal custody of the child in Texas, while Grimes filed a competing claim in California. Legal analysts say the case could become increasingly complicated, as both parents maintain residences in different states and have intense travel schedules tied to their respective careers.
In previous interviews, Grimes has described their co-parenting situation as unconventional but grounded in mutual respect. However, recent developments suggest that disagreements over the child’s long-term living arrangements and education have become more serious.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, neither Musk nor Grimes has made public statements criticizing the other directly. Their focus, at least publicly, appears to remain on the well-being of their son.
Musk, currently the richest person in the world according to Forbes, has eight other children from previous relationships and has spoken in the past about the importance of fatherhood. The Formula One appearance may serve as a subtle message that, even amid legal complications and an ever-demanding business empire, he prioritizes time with his children.
As the custody case continues, both parties are expected to seek mediation in an effort to resolve the matter privately. In the meantime, Musk’s public presence with his son has reignited discussion around celebrity custody battles, parental rights, and the challenges of parenting in the spotlight.
While the Formula One race delivered plenty of excitement on the track, it was Musk and his son who quietly stole the spotlight — a rare, personal moment for a man more often associated with rockets, robots, and billion-dollar deals.
