F1 daily: Hamilton mourns Roscoe, Cadillac hires Epp, Aston strengthens strategy, Red Bull wary, Steiner cools Horner-to-Alpine talk
Lewis Hamilton says goodbye to Roscoe
Lewis Hamilton has announced the passing of his bulldog Roscoe, a familiar, four-legged presence in the paddock for more than a decade and the star of countless driver walks and hospitality lounges. The Ferrari driver said Roscoe had been on life support in recent days and called the decision to let him go “the hardest” he’s ever made.
In a heartfelt post, Hamilton thanked his companion for the years they spent together, calling Roscoe “a beautiful soul” and “a true friend,” adding that bringing him into his life was the best decision he ever made. The seven-time World Champion has often spoken about how the dog helped him decompress from the relentless F1 grind. The outpouring of messages from across the paddock has been immediate and genuine—Roscoe was as close to a team-mascot-as-you-like, no matter the colour of the overalls.
Cadillac adds heavyweight commercial lead
Cadillac’s F1 programme has tapped Tyler Epp—best known for his stint as president of the Miami Grand Prix—to lead its global commercial strategy. It’s a hire that makes sense on paper: Epp’s been central to the modern American motorsport playbook, where sport meets spectacle and the balance sheet matters just as much as the TV shot.
As the brand eyes its forthcoming entry, Epp spoke about galvanising the sport in the U.S. and beyond. Translation: expect Cadillac to go big on partners and presence before the car even hits the grid. With the championship’s footprint in the States now well established, Cadillac wants to arrive with its commercial tyres fully warmed.
Aston Martin signs ex-Racing Bulls strategist
Aston Martin has moved to beef up its pitwall for the next rules era, hiring former Racing Bulls strategist Nick Roberts. He’ll join for the 2026 campaign and report to head of strategy Peter Hall. Quiet signings like this rarely make headlines, but they matter on Sundays; Aston has been rebuilding its operational sharpness to match its facility and driver roster.
With 2026 ushering in a radically different formula, teams are already tuning their processes, not just their wind tunnels. Strategy benches are being reshaped to deal with new energy deployment profiles, different downforce levels, and potentially chaotic competitive order. Roberts’ arrival fits that brief.
Red Bull wins don’t quiet the caution
Even after back-to-back wins for Max Verstappen, Laurent Mekies isn’t popping champagne early. The Red Bull man warned that Singapore won’t necessarily flatter what worked elsewhere. The team expects a different set of “equations” at Marina Bay—slow corners plus maximum downforce and punishing heat, a combination that exposed weaknesses at places like Budapest earlier in the season.
In short, they’re taking it step by step. Red Bull has historically had the pace to bend Singapore to its will, but this year’s car hasn’t been bulletproof in high-downforce trim. If there’s anywhere the field can compress, it’s under the lights with walls waiting to punish the smallest setup miss.
Steiner pours cold water on Horner-to-Alpine chatter
Guenther Steiner doesn’t see an Alpine move as a neat fit for Christian Horner, at least not while Flavio Briatore holds sway within the French team’s structure. Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner suggested the two heavyweights in top roles “would not work,” and implied Horner can afford to be patient about where and when he returns to a lead role in the paddock.
The rumour mill will keep spinning, of course, but the political jigsaw at Alpine is already complicated. Adding another alpha to the boardroom rarely simplifies things.
Quick hits
– The human side of this sport showed itself today. Roscoe’s paddock cameos were a reminder that even the most intense travelling circus has a soft spot. Hamilton, now in Ferrari red for 2025, felt that support immediately.
– Cadillac’s hire is another signal that the F1 commercial game keeps escalating. Expect more big-brand muscle and U.S.-centric activations as new entries loom.
– Aston Martin is clearly playing the long game. Wins come from a fast car; titles come from weekends where small calls become big points.
– Red Bull’s measured tone before Singapore is the right one. Form travels—but only so far when the setup window narrows and the track bites back.
– As for Horner, timing is everything. Doors open and close in this paddock depending on who’s in which office. For now, Alpine doesn’t look like the door to walk through.
Our thoughts are with Hamilton and everyone who knew the joy Roscoe brought to the grid. The sport moves fast; days like this remind you to pause.
