Lewis Hamilton has postponed Formula 1 testing duties to be with his bulldog, Roscoe, who is currently in a coma following a health scare.
The Ferrari driver, 40, was scheduled to test prototype tyres for Pirelli at Italy‘s Mugello track on Friday, but has been replaced by Chinese reserve driver Zhou Guanyu. The unexpected withdrawal highlights the close bond between the seven-time world champion and his pet, and underscores the personal sacrifices athletes sometimes make during their careers.
Hamilton revealed on social media that Roscoe, 12, was initially hospitalized with pneumonia. During veterinary checks, while the dog was sedated, his heart stopped. “They managed to get a heartbeat back and now he’s in a coma,” Hamilton wrote in an Instagram post alongside pictures of himself at Roscoe’s bedside. “We don’t know whether he will wake from this.Tomorrow we’ll try to wake him up. I’m by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.”
Roscoe, a vegan bulldog with 1.3 million Instagram followers, is a well-known companion to Hamilton and frequently appears with the driver at races.His profile describes him as a dog who ”loves to travel and play ball.”
