Lewis Hamilton has continued to pay tribute to his dog Roscoe after announcing the heartbreaking news that his beloved bulldog had died following a battle with pneumonia.
Hamilton confirmed that Roscoe had been on life support for four days before he made the agonising decision to let him go on Sunday evening. The 40-year-old Ferrari driver revealed he was with Roscoe until the very end, writing to fans: “After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe. He never stopped fighting, right until the very end.
“I feel so grateful and honoured to have shared my life with such a beautiful soul, an angel and true friend. Bringing Roscoe into my life was the best decision I ever made, and I will forever cherish the memories we created together.”
He later added that Roscoe had died “on Sunday evening, 28th September, in my arms.”
The Briton also drew parallels with the grief others have endured, especially pet owners who know the pain of such a loss: “Although I lost Coco, I have never been faced with putting a dog to sleep before, though I know my mum and many close friends have. It is one of the most painful experiences and I feel a deep connection to everyone who has gone through the loss of a beloved pet. Although it was so hard, having him was one of the most beautiful parts of life, to love so deeply and to be loved in return.”
After announcing Roscoe’s death, Hamilton also shared a short four-word message on X, referencing his other bulldog who passed away in 2020: “He’s with Coco now.”
Roscoe had been Hamilton’s constant companion since 2013, becoming an adored fixture in the F1 paddock and something of a celebrity himself, boasting more than 1.3 million Instagram followers. From race weekends to holidays and photo shoots, he was by Hamilton’s side. Trainer Kirstin McMillan often looked after him during grands prix, but fans frequently spotted the bulldog trackside, including at Silverstone earlier this year.
Hamilton had long acknowledged that Roscoe’s age and health struggles meant their time together was precious. “He’s 12-and-a-half years old, so he’s an old boy,” Hamilton told The Independent back in May. “He had pneumonia, but he’s fine now. But definitely, this is a time where every time I get a text message from the lady who’s looking after him, my heart stops for a second. You know, what’s next? I really want to try and bring him to Silverstone and take him to Monza and cheer him up.”
Sadly, those plans were cut short. Hamilton even skipped a Pirelli tyre test to spend extra time with Roscoe in his final days, underscoring just how deep their bond was.
Hamilton has also since shared a video tribute with his 41 million Instagram followers, which he captioned simply: “Roscoe Forever”.
The wider Formula 1 community rallied to support him. F1 itself paid tribute on social media: “Rest in Peace Roscoe Hamilton, a true star in his own right. Lewis Hamilton’s beloved Roscoe brought smiles to the paddock and warmed the hearts of fans all over the world. Our thoughts are with Lewis during this difficult time. Rest easy Roscoe, from paddock pup to Dogue icon, thank you for the pawprints you left on all of our hearts.”
Fans also flooded Hamilton’s pages with messages of love. One wrote: “One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do is put my dog down of 12 years. People who aren’t lucky enough to have a companion like that can’t fully understand the pain. He had the best life a dog could have!” Another added: “We will never forget Roscoe.” A third reflected: “They’re together again… Roscoe and Coco, running free side by side. Rest easy, angels.”
Hamilton closed his own tribute by thanking those who had followed Roscoe’s journey: “Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel.”
Hamilton is expected to return to action for Ferrari at the Singapore Grand Prix, though for fans and colleagues alike, the absence of Roscoe in the paddock will be impossible to ignore.
Featured image credit: Instagram/LewisHamilton
