BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton ‘DEVASTATED’ after freak accident at C…read more
F1 star Lewis Hamilton has revealed his sadness after a devastating freak accident at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton expressed deep sorrow and disappointment following an unexpected and emotional incident during Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix. While competing on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal—a track notorious for its active wildlife—Hamilton was involved in a freak accident that left both him and his car compromised for the remainder of the race.
The race took a dramatic turn when a groundhog wandered onto the racing line just as Hamilton approached at high speed. Unable to react in time, the seven-time world champion tragically struck the animal with his Ferrari SF-25. The incident not only led to the unfortunate death of the groundhog but also inflicted serious damage to the underbody of Hamilton’s car, significantly reducing its performance for the remainder of the event.
Speaking candidly after the race, a visibly emotional Hamilton shared his reaction:
> “I felt something, but I was on the straight, I didn’t know what it was. I looked in my mirror and couldn’t see anything,” he told reporters. “People are telling me now that it was a groundhog, which I’m devastated to hear. I love animals, so it doesn’t feel good at all. And it completely damaged my floor on the right side, so yeah… a bit unfortunate.”
The British driver, who had been showing promising form throughout the weekend, ultimately finished in sixth place. The damage to his Ferrari reportedly cost him approximately 20 points of aerodynamic downforce—enough to seriously compromise his race pace, particularly in the high-speed sections of the circuit. This left him unable to challenge the top five drivers and saw him tangled in midfield battles for most of the race.
Hamilton had earlier impressed during qualifying, outpacing teammate Charles Leclerc for only the third time this season and securing a strong fifth-place starting position. In the early laps, he matched the pace of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who currently leads the championship standings. However, after his first pit stop, Hamilton found himself locked in a prolonged scrap with Williams’ Alex Albon and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, losing valuable time that he was unable to recover.
The collision and subsequent damage marked yet another frustrating chapter in what has been a turbulent debut season at Ferrari for Hamilton. Despite his individual struggles, there were signs of cohesion and resolve within the team over the Canadian GP weekend. In the wake of speculation about the futures of Hamilton, Leclerc, and team principal Fred Vasseur, all three affirmed their commitment to Ferrari in the long term.
While the accident cast a shadow over Hamilton’s race, his words reflect a broader sensitivity and humanity rarely seen in the sport: a driver not only contending with mechanical challenges but also emotionally affected by the unintended consequences of a sport where man, machine, and nature sometimes collide.
As the season continues, both Hamilton and Ferrari will be hoping to regroup and find more consistent form, but the events in Montreal are sure to linger for some time in the mind of the British driver—both for what was lost on track and the life tragically lost in the process.
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