Lewis Hamilton’s race at the Canadian Grand Prix was abruptly affected by an unusual incident when his Ferrari collided with a groundhog early in the race. Starting from fifth place, Hamilton showed strong potential initially, but the collision caused significant aerodynamic damage to his car, leading to a serious drop in performance and later brake complications.
Race Challenges Worsened by Strategy and Vehicle Damage
Following the collision, Hamilton faced a series of difficulties that hampered his ability to compete at the front. Despite a strategic misstep during pit stops, he managed to bring the car home in sixth place. Hamilton expressed deep regret over the incident, especially regarding the harm caused to the animal, and detailed how the damage affected his race pace.
“I was slow, lacking a lot of performance, over half a second, so I just had to send it,”
Hamilton said.
“My qualifying was better, I was holding on until the damage, I was managing to keep [Oscar] Piastri behind, I think. I was also managing the tires, so I was optimistic and then I didn’t see, but I heard that I hit a groundhog and this is devastating. I love animals, so I’m very sad about this. This is horrible. This had never happened to me here before. But the bottom, on the right side, has a hole and all the veins are damaged. Then we had a problem with the brakes in the middle of the race too.”
Team Reaction and Impact on Championship Points
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the collision caused an estimated 20 lost points worth of aerodynamic efficiency, roughly translating to a half-second per lap deficit. While acknowledging the severity of the mishap, Vasseur lightened the mood by humorously noting that the team would send flowers to the groundhog.
Broader Implications for Hamilton and Ferrari
This rare incident during a critical Grand Prix underscored the unpredictable challenges drivers face in Formula 1, where even wildlife can play a disruptive role. The damage inflicted on Hamilton’s car not only affected his race outcome but also highlighted vulnerabilities in race strategy and vehicle durability under unexpected circumstances. Moving forward, Ferrari and Hamilton will likely review race protocols to mitigate such unusual risks as the championship continues.
