Lewis Hamilton asks fans to keep Roscoe in their thoughts after ‘scary few hours’
Lewis Hamilton has asked fans to keep his long-time sidekick Roscoe “in your thoughts and prayers” after a worrying spell for the 12-year-old bulldog.
Hamilton shared the update via Instagram, posting a photo of Roscoe looking unwell and admitting it had been “a scary few hours.” For a driver who rarely lets emotion spill into public view away from the cockpit, this one clearly cut through. Roscoe isn’t just a pet; he’s been part of Hamilton’s traveling family since 2013, a four-legged fixture in the paddock who’s grown into a celebrity in his own right.
The timing adds a twist of poignancy. Hamilton’s first season in Ferrari red has been full of fresh starts and old comforts, and Roscoe has been one of the constants. The pair were pictured together at the British Grand Prix earlier this year, strolling through Silverstone in scenes that felt familiar even with the Scuderia crest on Hamilton’s jacket. But age is catching up. Earlier in the season, speaking before Imola, Hamilton revealed Roscoe had battled pneumonia and that every message from his carer made his heart skip. He described the bulldog as “an old boy” with a stubbornly youthful spirit — still playful when the mood takes him, but sleeping a lot more these days.
It’s not lost on anyone in the paddock how unusual Roscoe’s run has been. Bulldogs aren’t known for longevity, and Hamilton has acknowledged as much, hinting that every healthy week now feels like a small victory. He’d spoken about wanting to take Roscoe to a couple of special races this year — Silverstone and Monza were on the list — even joking about getting him a little red cape for the Italian Grand Prix. The kind of detail only a dog person would dream up, and precisely why Roscoe’s become such a fan favorite.
Hamilton’s bond with Roscoe has been visible through the biggest chapters of his career. The bulldog padded around during his record-shattering Mercedes era and followed him into this new Ferrari chapter in 2025, a season that’s already been plenty demanding. On-track, Hamilton has teamed up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in a move that reshaped the grid this year. Off it, he’s often spoken about how Roscoe helps him detach from the relentless churn of F1 — a grounding presence when the visor comes up and the noise dies down.
There’s a softer, human side of the sport in moments like this. For all the data, strategy, and relentless development, the paddock still rallies around its people — and yes, its dogs. Roscoe’s slow waddle and camera-ready grin have been bright spots in countless media pen scrums and airport corridors. It’s rare to see a driver ask for something as simple and universal as good wishes, but Hamilton did, and fans responded in kind across social media.
No further details were shared beyond the photo and the brief message, and Hamilton understandably kept it tight. For now, the hope is straightforward: a quiet recovery for a paddock favorite and a bit of calm for his owner, who’s juggling a title fight’s pressures with the kind of worry every pet owner knows too well.
Whatever happens next, it’s clear Roscoe’s left paw prints all over this sport — and not just on the garage floor. Here’s hoping the old boy bounces back for a few more strolls down the pit lane.
