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In the quiet corners of his heart, Lewis Hamilton carries the pawprints of Roscoe and Coco, memories that ache with love and loss. In 2013, Hamilton welcomed Roscoe, a French Bulldog, into his life. Roscoe wasn’t just a pet, but his best friend and a companion who accompanied Hamilton to Formula 1 races and even appeared in the film F1: Drive to Survive, becoming the heart and soul of the paddock. “Bringing Roscoe into my life was the best decision I ever made,” Hamilton wrote as he bid farewell to his beloved fur friend with whom he created the most beautiful moments of his life.

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In an emotional Instagram post, Hamilton shared, “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.”

Tributes poured in from the motorsports community, including NASCAR veterans like Danica Patrick, who wrote, “I’m so sorry. 💔 Dogs have such a special place in our lives. Losing one is one of the hardest experiences. Praying for your heart and Roscoes peace in heaven over the rainbow bridge.” 

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In late September 2025, Roscoe fell seriously ill with pneumonia. Hamilton, deeply concerned, withdrew from a Pirelli tire test and Milan Fashion Week to be by Roscoe’s side. Despite medical efforts, Roscoe’s condition worsened, and after four days on life support, Hamilton made the painful decision to let him go. “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.”

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Coco, Hamilton’s spirited little bulldog, was a tiny bundle of quirks and love who somehow managed to steal the spotlight right beside Roscoe. Adopted as a pup with health challenges, she never let that dim her playful spirit, whether stealing Hamilton’s socks, demanding cuddles at odd hours, or being Roscoe’s partner in crime.

Tragically, in June 2020, she passed away at the age of 6, as Hamilton shared the news, “She was such a special dog, born with so many problems and I feel so lucky to have adopted her,” leaving him and Roscoe with sweet memories and bitter goodbyes.

For Roscoe, he wrote, “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. Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel. He died on Sunday evening, 28th September in my arms,” expressing gratitude for the 12 years they shared.

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The same year Hamilton joined Mercedes, Roscoe quickly became a fan favorite, amassing 1.4 million friends on Instagram. He was seen lounging in the team garage, posing for photos with fans, and even featured and exclusively credited in the 2025 film F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. His presence was so iconic that he had his own VIP pass for the paddock. His passing left a void in Hamilton’s life as he shared a post on X, writing, “He’s with Coco now.” 

While Roscoe’s physical presence is no longer with Hamilton, the happiness and the bond they shared continue to live on.

Messages of love and solidarity pour in

In the wake of Roscoe’s passing, the motorsport world has collectively paused, mourning the little paddock friend who somehow stole the spotlight from his celebrity dad. George Russell, Hamilton’s former teammate at Mercedes, summed up the collective heartbreak simply, “I’m so sorry for your loss mate 🙏❤️” Even the Mercedes-AMG F1 team couldn’t resist tipping their hats to the unofficial F1 mascot, “Our thoughts are with you, Lewis. Roscoe brought so much joy to those who met him and he’ll always be a part of our family ❤️”

McLaren and Ferrari joined the chorus of condolences, each message carrying a mixture of warmth and wistfulness. “So sorry for your loss, Lewis. Roscoe was an amazing dog, and he will never be forgotten ❤️” Drivers like Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly shared quiet but heartfelt messages of sympathy, knowing the heartache of such a loss, each having their own buddies, Leo and Simba, who also had a special bond with Roscoe.

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The ripple of condolences didn’t stop at F1. Across motorsports, from IndyCar’s Marco Andretti, who wrote, “Sending love bro,” to NASCAR’s Rajah Caruth, writing, “🕊️🖤”, along with others like William Byron, Toni Breidinger, Sammy Smith, and Zane Smith, messages of support flowed in.

Roscoe may have been small, but the joy, chaos, and heart he brought to Lewis Hamilton’s life were enormous, leaving behind an emptiness only memories can fill.

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