Lewis Hamilton is sixth in the F1 drivers' standings

Lewis Hamilton ‘Devastated’ After Running Over Groundhog in Canada GP

Hamilton ‘Devastated’ After Running Over Groundhog in Canada GP

Lewis Hamilton said he was “devastated” after hitting a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix, an incident that damaged his Ferrari SF-25 and deeply upset the seven-time world champion.

The incident occurred on lap 13 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a track known for its surrounding wildlife due to its island location in the Saint Lawrence River.

“That’s Horrible. I Love Animals.”

Speaking after the race, the 40-year-old British driver, a committed vegan and outspoken animal rights advocate, expressed sadness over the accidental death.

“I didn’t see it happen, but obviously I heard I hit a groundhog,” Hamilton said.

“That’s devastating. I love animals, and I’m so sad about it. That’s horrible. That’s never happened to me here before. I just hope it didn’t suffer.”

Costly Damage to Hamilton’s Race

The collision tore a hole in the floor of Hamilton’s Ferrari, and the team estimate that the damage cost him around half a second per lap for the remainder of the race.

Despite starting from ninth, Hamilton managed to finish sixth, but he described the situation as unfortunate, both from a performance and emotional standpoint.

Groundhogs a Known Risk in Montreal

Groundhogs—large ground squirrels native to North America—are commonly seen at the Montreal circuit, which is built on Île Notre-Dame, an artificial island. Wildlife incidents are not unheard of at the track, but Hamilton’s case was especially visible due to his public stance on animal welfare.

Race Recap

George Russell claimed his first victory of the season for Mercedes, converting pole position into a win.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished second.
Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc came home fifth.

What’s Next?

Formula 1 now heads back to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix, set for June 30 at the Red Bull Ring. With tensions high in both the driver standings and intra-team dynamics, all eyes will be on how Hamilton bounces back from this emotional and technical setback.