Lewis Hamilton has decided to withdraw from the Ferrari fashion show scheduled in Milan this weekend in order to stay with his critically ill dog, Roscoe. This development follows his earlier absence from a Pirelli tyre test at Mugello, which was revealed on Friday by PlanetF1.com, due to a health emergency involving his English bulldog.
The seven-time World Champion’s choice to prioritize his dog’s care underscores how seriously he is taking Roscoe’s condition amid the ongoing crisis.
Roscoe’s Serious Health Complications Prompt Hamilton’s Social Media Appeal
Late on Wednesday, Hamilton raised concern among fans after he called for support, requesting their “thoughts and prayers” during a “scary few hours” as Roscoe battled severe health issues. By Friday, Hamilton confirmed that Roscoe, who is 12 years old, was in a coma after complications from pneumonia.
Additionally, Roscoe’s heart briefly stopped during treatment, highlighting the severity of the situation. Efforts to revive the bulldog were to be undertaken later on Saturday.
Impact on Team and Testing: Hamilton’s Absence from Ferrari and Pirelli Sessions
Hamilton was initially expected to share driving responsibilities with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc during the Pirelli tyre test at Mugello, which aims to develop the new rubber compounds for the 2026 F1 season. However, on Thursday afternoon, Ferrari announced that reserve driver Guanyu Zhou would replace Hamilton for the test.
Sources close to the team indicated that Hamilton’s absence was directly related to Roscoe’s poor health. Hamilton then confirmed on social media that he would also miss attending the Ferrari fashion show in Milan on Saturday.
In his message, Hamilton expressed his regret, writing:
“I was supposed to be in Milan for the Ferrari fashion show tomorrow and was really excited about it. But as you know, I need to be with Roscoe right now. I’ll be watching the show on Ferrari Style and want to send my love and support to Rocco and the whole team.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be amazing – enjoy the livestream on Saturday at 9:30am Milan time and see you very soon!”
Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver
Weather Challenges at Mugello Affect Pirelli Tyre Testing Progress
The Pirelli testing session on Friday at Mugello faced disruptions due to rain, which limited the track’s usability for assessing the hardest tyre compounds planned for the 2026 season. Charles Leclerc was able to complete only 25 laps, all on intermediate tyres, registering a best time of 1:34.914.
Guanyu Zhou took over during the afternoon, testing intermediates and extreme wet tyres and ending with several dry tyre runs. He completed 75 laps, managing a fastest lap of 1:22.012.
Pirelli’s motorsport director, Mario Isola, commented on the weather complications in a statement to PlanetF1.com, saying:
“Unfortunately, the weather didn’t help. That’s a shame, as Mugello is not just a wonderful circuit, but also very demanding on tyres and it would have been useful to get in some consistent running to define the hardest compounds.”
Isola added that Pirelli will analyze the limited data obtained over the two days and combine it with previous sessions to reach final conclusions. He also mentioned additional testing scheduled after the Mexico City Grand Prix, focused on finalizing the homologation of softer compounds.
Despite the challenges, Isola noted a positive aspect:
“If we want to look for positives, at least we were able to test the wet weather tyres on a real track, gathering data and insights which will be useful for medium to long term development.”
“Finally, I’d like to thank Haas and Scuderia Ferrari for their cooperation over these past two days.”
Mario Isola, Pirelli Director of Motorsport
Ferrari’s Technological Efforts Highlighted Amid Development Work
During the Mugello sessions, Ferrari deployed its SF-25 mule car, a heavily modified version of the current race vehicle. This mule car is designed to simulate the performance and downforce expected from the F1 cars in the 2026 season. Earlier this month, Ferrari tested an innovative front wing featuring a moveable, DRS-style mechanism aimed at mimicking the effects of next year’s active aerodynamics as part of their ongoing development.
Looking Ahead: The Impact on Hamilton and Ferrari’s Season Progress
Lewis Hamilton’s withdrawal from key events such as the Pirelli tyre test and the Ferrari fashion show carries notable implications, as these activities are important for team preparations ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. His priority remains with Roscoe’s health, reflecting the personal challenge behind his professional decisions.
Meanwhile, Ferrari and Pirelli must navigate weather-related setbacks at Mugello while pushing forward with tyre developments. The collaborative efforts among Pirelli, Ferrari, and Haas will continue in upcoming sessions to ensure readiness for the next generation of Formula 1 racing.
