Hamilton reflects on ‘devastating' groundhog collision at Canadian GP
Lewis Hamilton Expresses Heartbreak After Canadian GP Collision with Groundhog
Montreal, Canada — Lewis Hamilton has expressed deep sorrow after an unexpected collision with a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion admitted he was "devastated" upon learning of the incident, which not only caused damage to his car but also served as an unfortunate reminder of the challenges posed by the circuit’s unique wildlife.
A significant population of groundhogs inhabits Montreal's Ile Notre-Dame, home to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Over the years, these animals have been involved in several incidents during the Grand Prix, and Hamilton's experience adds to the list of wildlife-related mishaps at the popular race venue.
Hamilton Reflects on the Incident
Speaking to Sky Sports following the race, Hamilton revealed that he was initially unaware of the collision, which took place around the 12th lap. It wasn’t until later, when he was informed about the incident, that the full weight of it hit him.
"I got a good start [to the race], held position, I was holding onto the group and managing the tires well, so I was feeling optimistic," Hamilton said. "Then, and I didn't see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog. That's devastating—I love animals, and that’s so, so sad. That’s never happened to me here before."
Impact on Performance
In addition to his emotional response, Hamilton noted the tangible impact the collision had on his car. "The floor, the right side, there's a hole in it, and all the vanes are gone," he explained, referring to the damage that ultimately compromised his performance.
The damage to the underside of his Ferrari created handling issues that caused Hamilton to drop from fifth to seventh during the race. A stroke of bad luck for McLaren, however, helped him recover one position when Lando Norris retired following a dramatic collision with teammate Oscar Piastri, allowing Hamilton to finish sixth.
Challenges Compounded by Brake Issues
The British driver’s obstacles didn’t end there. Compounding an already difficult situation, Hamilton also dealt with brake issues during the grueling 70-lap contest.
"Given that, and we had a brake issue halfway through as well, and we stayed out probably too long after the first stop, coming out behind traffic—it just went from one thing to another," Hamilton stated. "So I’m happy I could just finish, especially with the brake issue I had. We’re really in need of an upgrade, and there’s a lot of things that need to change before we can fight at the front."
Wildlife Incidents at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit
Hamilton isn’t the first driver to face animal-related incidents at the Canadian Grand Prix. In 2007, Super Aguri driver Anthony Davidson had to pit for a new front wing after hitting a groundhog, while Romain Grosjean’s Haas suffered extensive damage during a practice session following a similar incident in 2018.
At the end of the day, the Canadian Grand Prix remains a unique circuit in the Formula 1 calendar, with its natural beauty paired with the unpredictable challenge of local wildlife. For Hamilton, however, the heartbreak of this year's accident will remain a difficult memory—even as his focus shifts to securing stronger results in the upcoming races.
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