Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, made headlines once again—this time for a personal moment rather than a technological breakthrough.

Over the weekend, Musk was spotted attending a high-profile Formula 1 event in Austin, Texas, accompanied by his 3-year-old son, X Æ A-12, affectionately known as “X.”

The sighting quickly drew public attention, not only because of Musk’s prominence, but also due to the timing: it comes amid an ongoing and increasingly public custody battle with singer and artist Grimes.

Dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, Musk appeared relaxed as he held his son’s hand in the pit lane, occasionally lifting him up to get a better view of the roaring racecars.

The pair were photographed together near the Red Bull Racing garage, where Musk was seen chatting with team members and posing for a few photos with fans.

Little X wore protective ear muffs, seemingly fascinated by the high-octane environment and the machines around him.

Observers noted that Musk appeared focused on spending quality time with his son, largely steering clear of media questions and keeping the day centered on the F1 experience.

However, the event couldn’t escape the growing curiosity around the personal situation involving Grimes, who recently filed legal documents seeking legal and physical custody of X and their two other children.

The custody dispute, which has remained relatively private until now, burst into the public spotlight last month. Grimes, born Claire Boucher, has reportedly been seeking a co-parenting arrangement that offers more structured time and stability for the children, whereas Musk’s demanding schedule and multiple business ventures have raised concerns about how involved he can consistently be in their day-to-day lives.

Grimes has also expressed frustration with the lack of transparency around their children’s whereabouts, alleging in filings that Musk at times limits her access to the kids, especially X, who has often been seen with Musk at various public and work-related events.

Neither party has spoken publicly in depth about the details, though both have emphasized their love for the children.

Despite the backdrop of legal proceedings, many on social media were quick to praise Musk for bringing X to the Formula 1 event, seeing it as a rare and heartwarming father-son outing.

Photos of the two quickly went viral, with fans commenting on how grown up X looks and how comfortable he seemed around the high-speed cars and complex racing tech.

Others, however, viewed the appearance as potentially calculated, suggesting it may have been meant to influence public perception during the custody negotiations.

Still, those who know Musk say he is a deeply devoted father behind the scenes. Friends and colleagues describe him as playful and surprisingly hands-on, often bringing his children to work or travel with him when possible.

“He might be running multiple companies, but he never stops being a dad,” one associate told reporters. “When he’s with his kids, he’s fully engaged.”

Grimes, for her part, has maintained a low profile since the legal proceedings began, aside from a few cryptic social media posts that hint at emotional turbulence.

She’s been focusing on her music and new creative projects, while also seeking more private time with her children. According to sources close to her, the singer is hoping for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes stability and communication.

Legal experts say custody battles between high-profile individuals are often more complicated than standard cases, not only because of the wealth and resources involved, but also due to the intense public scrutiny. “In situations like this, the court typically looks at which parent can provide the most consistent and supportive environment for the children,” said one family law attorney. “But the publicity can also affect proceedings, whether intentionally or not.”

As the custody case moves forward, both Musk and Grimes appear intent on continuing their roles in their children’s lives—albeit from very different angles. Musk’s appearance at the Austin Grand Prix with X served as a public reminder of his role as a father and of the personal layers that exist behind his public image as a billionaire tech visionary.

In the end, this moment at the racetrack—two figures in matching smiles against the backdrop of roaring engines—offered a rare, intimate glimpse into a life so often consumed by headlines, ambition, and innovation. While the courts will ultimately decide how custody is shared, one thing was clear on this sunny Texas day: for a few hours, Musk wasn’t a CEO or an innovator. He was just a dad at the races, holding his son’s hand.