What started as a routine race day in Montreal quickly took an emotional turn for Lewis Hamilton after an unexpected and tragic encounter on the track.
The seven-time world champion was left heartbroken after accidentally running over a groundhog mid-race — an incident that not only shook him emotionally but also affected his car’s performance.
A Familiar Furry Face Causes Trouble on the Track
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is no stranger to wildlife sightings, especially groundhogs that occasionally venture onto the track.
But this time, during lap 13 of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, one unfortunate groundhog made a sudden dash between turns 9 and 10 — right into the path of Hamilton’s speeding Ferrari.
Traveling at about 100mph, Hamilton had no time to react.
The collision resulted in a loud thud, with footage capturing the groundhog’s abrupt and fatal encounter with the race car.
The impact was immediate and, sadly, the animal didn’t survive.
Unexpected Consequences for Hamilton’s Ferrari
The hit didn’t just cause emotional distress — it also dealt a blow to Hamilton’s race.
The underside of his car took the brunt of the collision, and Ferrari engineers later confirmed that the damage seriously reduced the vehicle’s aerodynamic downforce.
That had a direct impact on Hamilton’s ability to compete effectively during the remainder of the race.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the event, Hamilton admitted, “It was feeling pretty decent up until then. I didn’t see it, but I heard I hit a groundhog.
That’s devastating. I really love animals — I’m just so sad about it. That’s never happened to me here before.”
From Contender to Sixth Place Finish
Hamilton had started the race in fifth position and had high hopes for the day.
But between the floor damage, some poorly timed pit stops, and lingering brake issues, he couldn’t regain his momentum.
He was forced to limp to the finish line, settling for sixth place while his teammate George Russell clinched a dominant win from pole position.
Rookie Kimi Antonelli took home third place in a career-defining performance, while Max Verstappen split the Mercedes drivers by finishing second.
Sympathy Pours In — Even From Rival Families
News of the incident spread quickly online.
Nicole Piastri, mother of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, expressed sympathy in a post that read, “Oh no!!! RIP little groundhog. (Not your fault Lewis).”
The gesture reflected a shared understanding in the racing community about how heartbreaking and unavoidable such moments can be.
Wildlife and the Canadian Grand Prix: A Risky Tradition
Sadly, this isn’t the first time a groundhog has found its way onto the circuit during race weekend.
Back in 2007, Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson also struck one.
The track’s location on a man-made island makes wildlife sightings a common occurrence, although most are spotted and avoided in time.
This year’s incident served as a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsport — not just for drivers, but for the animals that live nearby.
Hamilton Reflects on the Incident
Still processing the moment, Hamilton concluded, “It’s never nice to see that. You don’t want to be the reason something like that happens. I just really hope it didn’t suffer.”
While he may have crossed the finish line far from the podium, the emotional weight of the day lingered longer than the race itself.
Now, as Hamilton and his team regroup for the next race, the memory of this weekend will no doubt stay with him — for reasons far beyond racing.