Lewis Hamilton was left heartbroken after learning that he had accidentally struck and killed a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix, an incident that not only saddened the seven-time world champion but also compromised the performance of his Ferrari.
Hamilton, who is well known for his love of animals and often travels with his dog Roscoe, said he was unaware of the impact at the time but later found out about it, calling the experience "devastating." The crash caused damage to the right side of his car, contributing to a series of issues that derailed what had been a promising start to the race.
The British driver, who finished sixth, said the collision marked a turning point in his performance after he had made a strong opening and was managing his tyres well. "It was feeling pretty decent up until then," he explained.
“I didn't see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog... There was a hole in the floor, and we had a brake issue halfway through." Hamilton noted that the team also delayed their first pit stop, putting him behind traffic and compounding the race-day challenges.
This race continues a frustrating trend for Hamilton, who has now gone 10 races without a podium since joining Ferrari—a first in his storied Formula One career. Despite managing to finish the race, he admitted the team is in urgent need of upgrades and structural changes to become more competitive.
"I'm grateful that I finished, particularly with the brake issue... but there are a lot of things that need to change in order for us to compete at the front," he said, underscoring his growing dissatisfaction.
Teammate Charles Leclerc also had a difficult outing, finishing fifth despite recovering from a crash during Friday’s practice. While he was able to collect some points, Leclerc echoed Hamilton’s frustration, revealing he was unhappy with how the race played out.
The performance of both Ferrari drivers highlights the broader concerns within the team as they continue to chase consistency and competitiveness in the 2025 Formula One season.
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