Lewis Hamilton Expresses Sadness After Hitting Groundhog at Canadian Grand Prix
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton shared his heartbreak after accidentally hitting a groundhog during the 13th lap of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The collision left the Mercedes driver devastated, not just over the race impact but because of his love for animals.
“I love animals, and that’s so, so sad,” Hamilton says visibly shaken “I didn’t see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog.”
The incident caused damage to Hamilton’s car, putting “a hole” in the floor on the right side, which impacted his performance and contributed to a sixth-place finish. Despite the setback, the 40-year-old racing star, who has been vegan since 2017 due to his commitment to animal welfare, was more upset about the harm caused to the groundhog.
“That’s devastating,” he added. “That’s never happened to me here before.”
Hamilton also noted other challenges during the 70-lap race, including brake issues and strategy decisions that left him trailing behind traffic after pitting. “It just went from one thing to another,” he said. “I’m happy I could just finish.”
Groundhog Collisions Are a Common Issue at the Canadian Grand Prix
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time groundhogs have interrupted races at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, located on Montreal’s Ile Notre-Dame.
In 2018, Haas driver Romain Grosjean hit a groundhog during practice, damaging his car’s front wing. In 2007, Super Aguri driver Anthony Davidson struck a groundhog and had to pit for a new front wing and in 2022 Nicholas Latifi hit a groundhog during a wet Free Practice 3 session. He braked but was unable to avoid the animal, and his car sustained damage.
Lewis Hamilton’s Commitment to Animal Welfare
Hamilton’s reaction reflects his ongoing passion for animal welfare, a cause that also inspired his shift to a plant-based diet in 2017. Beyond his racing career, the British driver uses his platform to advocate for environmental sustainability and the ethical treatment of animals.
While the race may not have gone as planned for Hamilton, his history as a champion and determination to compete make him a standout figure in Formula One.
