Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, made a high-profile appearance at the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, accompanied by his three-year-old son, X Æ A-12. The billionaire entrepreneur, known for his influence in the tech and automotive industries, was seen enjoying the high-speed event despite his ongoing custody battle with former partner Grimes.

The sighting of Musk and his young son at the prestigious racing event quickly drew public attention, as the SpaceX and Tesla CEO rarely makes public appearances with his children. X Æ A-12, affectionately called “X” by his parents, was spotted alongside Musk in the VIP section, seemingly fascinated by the roaring engines and electrifying atmosphere of the race.

Musk’s presence at the event comes at a tumultuous time, as he and the Canadian musician Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, are currently engaged in a legal dispute over the custody of their children. Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, recently filed a lawsuit seeking parental rights, adding another layer of complexity to their already unconventional relationship.

Despite the legal battle unfolding behind the scenes, Musk appeared relaxed and engaged as he watched the race with X. The father and son duo shared several lighthearted moments, with Musk pointing out race cars and interacting with other VIP attendees. The event marked a rare public outing for X, who has largely been kept away from media attention since his birth in 2020.

Musk and Grimes’ relationship has been unconventional from the start, with the couple first making headlines when they revealed their son’s unique name. Though they initially seemed to co-parent amicably, tensions have reportedly escalated in recent months, leading to Grimes’ legal action. The lawsuit, filed in California, requests a formal determination of custody, though specific details remain private.

Musk, known for his demanding schedule and multiple business ventures, has a total of 11 children with three different women. While he has often spoken about the importance of family, his parenting style has been a topic of debate, given his high-profile commitments to companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter). His presence at the F1 event with X suggests an effort to spend quality time with his son despite his ongoing legal challenges.

The Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin is a major sporting event that attracts celebrities, entrepreneurs, and racing enthusiasts from around the world. Musk’s attendance at such a high-profile gathering, amid personal legal troubles, underscores his ability to navigate both public and private spheres with strategic poise. His appearance with X also signals a possible attempt to counter public narratives surrounding the custody dispute.

Grimes, who has been relatively private about the details of her legal action, has previously spoken about the challenges of co-parenting with Musk. She has described their relationship as complex but expressed a desire to prioritize the well-being of their children. The lawsuit indicates an ongoing struggle over parental responsibilities, raising questions about how Musk balances his corporate empire with his role as a father.

Public reaction to Musk’s F1 appearance has been mixed, with some praising him for spending time with his son while others speculate about the timing of the outing amid the custody dispute. Social media users were quick to share images of the billionaire and X, with many commenting on Musk’s apparent effort to maintain a strong fatherly presence despite his professional and personal commitments.

Musk, who has often dismissed media scrutiny of his personal life, has not publicly commented on the custody battle. However, his legal team is expected to challenge Grimes’ filing, potentially leading to a prolonged court battle. The outcome could influence future co-parenting arrangements between the two, particularly given Musk’s history of unconventional family dynamics.

For now, Musk appears focused on business as usual, balancing his public image with his corporate empire. His attendance at the F1 Grand Prix serves as a reminder of his ability to maintain a strong presence in both the tech world and popular culture, even as his personal life faces legal turbulence. Whether this latest custody dispute will affect his future parenting arrangements remains to be seen, but for now, Musk and X’s F1 outing has only added to the ongoing public fascination with his life.