Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is a devoted animal rights activist, so it came as no surprise that he expressed regret over hitting a groundhog during the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Per CNN, Hamilton, who is also a vegan, was initially unaware that the damage his car had suffered during the race was caused by the rodent. The 40-year-old Ferrari driver started the race in fifth position, but he later suspected there was an issue with his car as his speed declined. He was ultimately informed that he had hit a groundhog.
Hamilton’s car floor sustained damage after he drove over the animal, causing him to lose half a second for each lap. And though he finished the race in sixth position, Hamilton was seemingly more concerned about the groundhog’s welfare. The rodents are usually spotted at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
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“I didn’t see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog, so that’s devastating,” the 40-year-old told Sky Sports. “I love animals, so I’m so sad about it. It’s horrible. It’s never happened to me here before.”
Hamilton in the interview also touched on his performance and how issues with his car’s brakes impacted the outcome of the position that he finished in.
“It was feeling pretty decent until (hitting the groundhog). I got a good start, held position, and I was holding onto the group. I was managing the tires well. I was feeling optimistic,” he stated.
“Given that, then we had a brake issue halfway through (the race) as well, then we stayed out probably too long in the first stop, came out behind traffic and it went from one thing to another, so I’m grateful that I could just finish, particularly with the brake issue I had and bag those points.”
The race was ultimately won by Mercedes driver and Hamilton’s compatriot George Russell. That marked the 27-year-old’s first F1 win of this season.
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