Seven-time Formulation 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was saddened to find his automobile had run over a groundhog throughout Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. “I didn’t see it occur, however I heard I hit a groundhog, in order that’s devastating,” Hamilton, an animal rights activist and vegan, mentioned to Sky Sports activities following his sixth-place end.
The 40-year-old Ferrari driver, who began fifth on the grid, mentioned he started shedding tempo early within the race after the incident broken the ground of his automobile. “I like animals, so I’m so unhappy about it,” Hamilton mentioned. “It’s horrible. It’s by no means occurred to me earlier than.”
Hamilton additionally skilled some issues along with his brakes throughout the race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the place groundhogs are widespread. “It was feeling fairly respectable till (hitting the animal),” he mentioned. “I obtained a superb begin, held place, and I used to be holding onto the group. I used to be managing the tires properly. I used to be feeling optimistic.”
Hamilton’s fellow Nice Britain native, Mercedes’ George Russell, gained the race. 4-time defending champion Max Verstappen of Purple Bull Racing completed second and Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli was third. Hamilton, who gained his final F1 phrase title in 2020, ranks sixth within the driver standings by 10 races. Up subsequent is the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29.