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Lewis Hamilton Hits Groundhog During Canadian GP, Damaging Car and Ruining Race
Lewis Hamilton Hits Groundhog During Canadian GP, Damaging Car and Ruining Race originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Lewis Hamilton's Canadian Grand Prix unravelled early and the culprit wasn't a rival car, a pit stop blunder, or the weather. It was a groundhog.
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Hamilton, who was running well inside the top five, suffered a mysterious loss of pace after Lap 13. Sky Sports F1's Karun Chandhok later revealed that Hamilton had been carrying car damage from that moment on, specifically, a 20-point loss of downforce.
The shocking reason? A collision with a groundhog that had wandered onto the track.
As the race wore on, Hamilton's Ferrari lacked its usual punch. He was overcut by both Lando Norris and teammate Charles Leclerc, slipping to seventh by Lap 30. Frustrated on team radio, Hamilton confessed, 'I'm nowhere in this race, mate. I don't know what's happened.'
Lewis Hamilton during previews ahead of the Monaco the Ferrari garage confirmed the damage, the origin contact with wildlife caught many off guard. Canada's circuit, built on man-made island, is notorious for its roaming groundhogs, and Hamilton appears to have paid the price for one unlucky encounter.
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The incident not only wrecked his Sunday but also served as a reminder of how even the most unexpected elements of wildlife in this case can dramatically influence a F1 race.
Fans were quick to react with disbelief and sympathy, both for the animal and for the seven-time world champion, whose Montreal weekend ended in quiet frustration.
Related: Lewis Hamilton Left Frustrated After Shock Damage Derails Canada GP Charge
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
