Lewis Hamilton’s Canadian GP Shattered by Shocking Groundhog Crash

Lewis Hamilton’s chances for a breakthrough result at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix ended early after a collision with a groundhog wrecked his Ferrari’s race pace. Starting fifth on the grid, Hamilton was eyeing his first podium since joining Ferrari, but the unexpected encounter on lap eight caused enough damage to put him out of contention for the top spots.

Hamilton immediately felt the impact, telling his race engineer that the car had lost over half a second per lap in performance. Team radio confirmed the floor, especially the right side, had a hole and critical veins were missing, deeply affecting the car’s aerodynamics.

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The incident occurred as Hamilton was managing his tires and tracking Oscar Piastri ahead. He later said he was optimistic up to that point and disappointed both by the lost opportunity and the fact that he hit an animal.

He stated, “I love animals so I’m so sad about it. That’s horrible. The brake issue halfway through didn’t help either.” The damage was enough to upset the car’s balance, and Hamilton explained that, after pitting too late for the first stop, he got stuck in traffic, setting off a series of setbacks.

Despite falling behind, he was able to finish sixth, crediting some luck and perseverance for salvaging points in Montreal.

Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the strange accident, making a brief joke: “We had a small kiss with the marmot. Damaged all the front part of the floor, costing about 20 points of downforce. We’ll send flowers to the marmot.”

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He addressed speculation over his own job security while focusing on the team’s technical challenges. Vasseur noted an upgrade package would arrive before Silverstone, with another coming later in the season.

He emphasized execution, not just upgrades, as key to unlocking Ferrari’s full potential.

Hamilton’s qualifying had put him in a good position, but after the crash and further mechanical issues, any hope of a top-three finish faded. He described his day as moving from “one thing to another” after the first pit stop, reiterating the need for updates and quicker pit strategy.

Even with setbacks, Hamilton moved from ninth back up to sixth and said that, if everything had gone to plan, fourth was possible. The points from sixth were valuable for both Hamilton and the team, especially as Ferrari searches for consistency.

Ferrari continues to face pressure in the championship, with Vasseur balancing technical improvements and media rumors regarding his future. The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for the next rounds, with upgrades planned and drivers pushing for stronger outcomes.

For Hamilton, the experience in Montreal was a frustrating one, made all the stranger by his rare and costly run-in with the circuit’s resident wildlife.

As the Formula 1 season heads toward its midpoint, Ferrari will aim to bounce back, hoping that new parts and better execution can bring Hamilton closer to the top three once again. The Canadian Grand Prix may have been undone by a groundhog, but both driver and team are already looking ahead to turning their fortunes around.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.