Featured Image Credit: Formula 1
Topics: Fan Reactions, Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Ryan Smart
F1 fans have demanded answers after Ferrari's latest concerning radio message to Lewis Hamilton during the Canadian Grand Prix.
Hamilton qualified fifth in his Ferrari, and held his position during the opening laps of the race in Montreal.
The seven-time world champion pitted after being overtaken by Lando Norris, and came back out in traffic behind Esteban Ocon and the slow-moving Alex Albon.
Hamilton overtook the traffic but the time loss left him over 10 seconds behind Oscar Piastri, who had been in front of him in the first stint.
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Then came information from his race engineer Riccardo Adami, who explained the Brit's sudden loss of pace.
"Confirming we do see a loss of downforce in the car, or damage perhaps. Twenty points missing."
And fans quickly had the same response.
One wrote: "I'm so tired of this, every single race somehow Hamilton gets damage or floor damage."
Another asked: "Why does Hamilton keep getting mystery damage every race?"
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A third agreed: "How does Hamilton keep getting all this damage?"
And a fourth stated: "Hamilton damage from what?"
The damage was such that team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was around five seconds behind Hamilton when the lead Ferrari pitted, came out ahead after his pit stop.
Footage subsequently emerged of Hamilton appearing to run over a groundhog that was in the centre of the circuit before the final sector hairpin.
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Many groundhogs reside near the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and have regularly ventured trackside during F1 races in Canada over the years.
During the second F1 Academy, two groundhogs were - safely - positioned trackside on a patch of grass as cars drove down the back straight.
Most of them cross the track, although there have been unfortunate instances where they have been struck by drivers.
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It can be almost impossible for drivers to spot them in some circumstances, even more so to move out of the way at high speed.