Oops, a Groundhog in Montreal: Lewis Hamilton's Misfortune on the F1 Track
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Such a shocking turn of events: appalling circumstances unraveled - "What a dreadful sight": Ferrari racer Hamilton drives over a groundhog
Veteran Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton suffered a heart-wrenching moment during the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal when he collided with a groundhog, damaging his car's underbody. This unfortunate incident could have impacted his race performance, leaving the 40-year-old Briton feeling dismayed.
"I've never hit an animal here before, it's terrible," Hamilton lamented, finishing the race in sixth place. "I was shocked to hear it was a groundhog."
Footage showed the unlucky encounter early in the race. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed the collision resulted in the destruction of the entire front part of the underbody, impairing the car's performance.
The Simpson Strip: Lewis Hamilton's unfortunate tunnel encounter
"The right side of the underbody had a hole," Hamilton later admitted. He also faced brake problems later on. "I'm just glad I could finish the race and get some points," the animal-loving champion added, seemingly more relieved about completing the race than his position.
Groundhog incidents around Montreal's racetrack aren't entirely shocking—these critters live on the island in the St. Lawrence River where the Grand Prix takes place. Past drivers like French racer Romain Grosjean have encountered similar misfortunes, while world champion Max Verstappen narrowly dodged one in 2021.
- Lewis Hamilton
- Groundhog
- Formula 1
- Montreal
- Canada
- Ferrari
Fact-Check: Ferrari's Misconception
Contrary to some reports, Ferrari wasn't directly involved in the groundhog incident. Hamilton was driving a Mercedes, not a Ferrari, at the time of the collision [1][2][4].
Groundhogs on the Grand Prix Circuit
Groundhog sightings are a recurring theme on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. With the growing groundhog population in the area, such incidents are likely to persist in the racing circuit [1][2].
Hamilton's Reaction: Emotions Run High
As a vegan and animal lover, Hamilton expressed deep sorrow about the incident. Known for his compassion, he felt "so sad" about crushing the small creature during the race [1][5].
- Lewis Hamilton's emotional reaction towards the collision with a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal indicates his deep affection for animals, which highlights his status as an animal lover and a vegan.
- Despite finishing the race in sixth place, Hamilton's focus seemed more on the unfortunate incident with the groundhog rather than his race position, demonstrating that sports are not just about winning for him but also about empathy and respect for all life forms.
