Lewis Hamilton devastated after hitting groundhog in Canadian GP
- Lewis Hamilton hit a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix, damaging his Ferrari car.
- This incident negatively affected his race performance, resulting in a sixth-place finish.
- Hamilton expressed devastation over the harm done to the animal and recognized the need for upgrades to his car.
In a recent incident during the Canadian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One champion, experienced a distressing race when he accidentally hit and killed a groundhog. The incident occurred while racing at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Despite starting the race in a promising fifth position, Hamilton faced significant damage to his Ferrari SF-25 car early on. This unfortunate event resulted in a hole in the floor of the vehicle, adversely affecting its performance and speed for the remainder of the race. Hamilton expressed profound regret about the incident, stating he did not realize he had hit the animal while navigating the track. The impact not only impacted his race but also left him emotionally disturbed, as he has a strong affinity for animals, reflected in his ownership of a beloved French bulldog named Roscoe. The incident led to a reduction of approximately half a second per lap in Hamilton's speed, ultimately resulting in him finishing sixth in the race, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured fifth place. After the incident, Hamilton highlighted his car's brake issue, which contributed to the challenges he faced during the race. He admitted to feeling optimistic at the start but acknowledged that the sequence of incidents stemming from the groundhog collision hindered his overall performance. This marked a challenging phase for Hamilton and Ferrari, as he was yet to secure a podium finish for the team in the ongoing season, despite being a prominent figure in the sport. In light of these challenges, Hamilton and Ferrari are set to implement upgrades for future races, beginning with an improvement on the rear suspension. This strategy aims to address the car’s performance issues before the upcoming Silverstone race, which is notably Hamilton's home race. The team is under pressure to enhance their competitive edge, given that they have not secured a podium in the first ten races, making this a frustrating time in Hamilton's career. As Hamilton reflected on this unusual circumstance, he conveyed his gratitude for simply finishing the race under the given conditions and expressed a desire for positive changes moving forward.