Hamilton Hits Groundhog, Suffers Damage, Finishes Sixth Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton experienced a challenging Canadian Grand Prix after hitting a groundhog around lap 12, which caused significant aerodynamic damage to his Ferrari, reducing downforce by about 20 points and slowing him by roughly half a second per lap. The incident contributed to Hamilton dropping from fifth on the grid to finishing sixth, behind teammate Charles Leclerc, amid additional issues including brake problems and suboptimal pit strategy. Hamilton expressed devastation over killing the animal, emphasizing his love for animals and describing the event as unprecedented in his racing career. Groundhog encounters are a known hazard at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, having affected other drivers in past events. Despite a promising start and tire management, Hamilton's race unraveled due to a combination of the collision, mechanical troubles, and traffic challenges. Ferrari acknowledges the need for upgrades and strategic improvements to increase competitiveness in future races.