Formula 1 Paddock Mourns Roscoe, Beloved Bulldog of Lewis hamilton
SINGAPORE - The Formula 1 community is in mourning following the death of Roscoe, the english Bulldog and cherished companion of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Roscoe, a fixture in the paddock, was as well-known and beloved as the drivers themselves, garnering attention from fans and competitors alike. His passing has prompted questions about its potential impact on Hamilton’s performance as the F1 circuit heads to Singapore this weekend.
Roscoe’s presence transcended the typical “pet in the paddock” role. He held an annual pass, granting him access to all areas, and was routinely greeted with affection from drivers and team personnel, even during post-race media engagements. Photographers regularly noted his presence alongside Hamilton’s fashion choices when anticipating the driver’s arrival each morning,according to F1 reporter Louis Dekker. “Roscoe was a welcome guest in Formula 1 Paddock. the English Bulldog was accepted by everyone as a full-fledged member of the F1 circus,” Dekker stated.
The bond between Hamilton and Roscoe was often cited as a source of unconditional support for the driver, especially given the pressures of fame. “If you are as well-known as Hamilton, you have many people around you who you don’t know what they want from you,” explained animal behaviorist Marieke Scheulderman. “Do they really like you or do they want to be with you because you are known? A dog just wants to be with you because you are his owner. Those animals love you unconditionally.” Roscoe, Scheulderman noted, was unimpressed by Hamilton’s seven world titles, 41 million Instagram followers, or recent racing results.
The emotional toll of losing a pet is meaningful, and experts suggest it could affect Hamilton’s performance. “The mourning for a pet is no different than the mourning around a person,” Scheulderman said. “You have to go through the five stages of mourning.” She added, “If you are intensely sad, it has an influence on your performance…the frist few weeks after the loss he will be broken and it may not be that much comes out of his hands.”
Hamilton’s participation in the first practice session of the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday will be closely watched as observers assess the extent to which his grief impacts his driving. Other drivers, including Charles Leclerc, also share a fondness for dogs, highlighting the unique camaraderie within the Formula 1 community. The question remains whether Hamilton will attend the media day in Singapore next Thursday, a further indication of how he is coping with the loss.
