Lewis Hamilton has expressed deep sorrow after an unexpected and distressing incident during Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix saw him run over a groundhog on track.
The incident occurred on Lap 13 of the race at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, when the Ferrari driver’s SF-25 struck the animal, leaving a hole in the floor of his car.
Despite pushing through, Hamilton was only able to finish in sixth place. Ferrari engineers later confirmed the damage had cost him roughly half a second per lap over the remainder of the race.
Yet, for the seven-time world champion, the result was secondary to the loss of the animal.
“It was feeling pretty decent up until then,” Hamilton told reporters post-race. “And then, I didn’t see it happen, but obviously I heard I hit a groundhog. So that’s devastating. I love animals, and I’m so sad about it. That’s horrible. That’s never happened to me here before.”
A committed vegan and outspoken animal rights advocate, Hamilton added, “It’s never nice to see that — I just hope it didn’t suffer.”
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Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are native to North America and are a familiar sight around the island-based circuit.
While wildlife sightings are not uncommon in Montreal, race organizers typically take precautions to prevent animal-related incidents during events.
On the sporting front, Mercedes’ George Russell secured his first win of the season, converting pole position into victory, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finishing second.
But the day’s triumph was somewhat overshadowed by Hamilton’s somber tone, offering a stark reminder of the intersection between high-speed sport and nature.