Lewis Hamilton has expressed deep regret after accidentally hitting a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix, an incident which also damaged his car.
The Ferrari driver, known for his animal rights activism and vegan lifestyle, said he was “devastated” after the accident, which occurred on lap 13 when the rodent crossed the track at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The impact created a hole in the floor of his SF-25, costing him an estimated half a second per lap according to the team. He ultimately finished in sixth place. However, for Hamilton, the greatest loss was the life of the animal: “I didn’t see it, but I was told I hit it. I’m heartbroken — I love animals. I just hope it didn’t suffer,” he said.
The groundhog, a species commonly found on the artificial island that hosts the Canadian GP, became an unintended protagonist in a race won by George Russell (Mercedes), marking his first victory of the season, with Max Verstappen finishing second.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with fans mourning both the animal’s death and the emotional toll on the seven-time world champion.
