Hamilton’s Canadian GP Hopes Dashed by “Devastating” Groundhog Crash
Lewis Hamilton’s aspiration for a strong finish at the Canadian Grand Prix was abruptly halted after a bizarre collision with a groundhog left him grappling with significant car damage. Starting from fifth on the grid, Hamilton aimed for a podium finish in Montreal but found himself in a situation that neither he nor the sport had ever anticipated.
A Day to Forget for Hamilton
Hamilton expressed his frustration post-race, stating he felt he was “nowhere” during the event. Race engineer Riccardo Adami reassured him via team radio that his performance was commendable given the circumstances. However, the full extent of the damage from the accident remained uncertain.
“I was just slow, lacking a lot of performance,” Hamilton reflected. “I didn’t see it happen, but I heard I hit a groundhog, so that’s devastating. I love animals, so I’m really sad about it.” The infamous incident left visible damage on the right side of his car’s floor, impacting overall performance.
Podium Aspirations Dashed
Despite his unfortunate mishap, Hamilton acknowledged that a podium might have still been a stretch, even without the groundhog incident. “We stayed out too long on the first stop and came out behind traffic,” he admitted, finishing the race in sixth place. “I could have been fourth if everything had gone perfectly.”
In a candid assessment, he emphasised the team’s need for upgrades, stating, “There’s a lot that needs to change for us to compete at the front.”
Ferrari‘s Response to the Setback
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, facing pressure from speculation regarding his future, was quick to add some levity to the situation. “We had a small kiss with the marmot,” he recounted. “We lost around 20 points of downforce due to the damage, which is considerable, but we didn’t see a huge change in balance.”
Vasseur also responded to Hamilton’s call for performance upgrades, assuring fans that a package would arrive before the upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Conclusion
As Lewis Hamilton left Montreal, the weekend’s events served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of Formula 1. With a mix of misfortune and the need for improvement, Hamilton’s focus shifts to the next race as he aims to bounce back and reclaim his position among the top contenders.