The three-week hiatus between the British and Belgian Grands Prix in the 2025 Formula 1 season offered Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, a rare opportunity to step away from the racetrack and reconnect with his beloved bulldog, Roscoe. For Hamilton, who has long shared his life with his canine companions, this break was a chance to revisit a cherished memory—a tropical island getaway he and Roscoe enjoyed nine years ago. The plan was simple: return to the paradise that once brought them unbridled joy. But this time, the journey was tinged with a profound sense of loss, as the absence of Hamilton’s other bulldog, Coco, cast a shadow over the trip. What was meant to be a nostalgic escape became a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the inevitable passage of time.

Nine years ago, Hamilton, Roscoe, and Coco basked in the sun-drenched bliss of their island retreat. The trio was inseparable, their days filled with playful romps along the beach, lazy afternoons under swaying palm trees, and the kind of carefree happiness that only comes from the unconditional bond between a person and their pets. Hamilton often spoke of those moments as some of the happiest in his life, a rare escape from the high-pressure world of Formula 1. Roscoe and Coco, with their wrinkled faces and boundless energy, were his anchors, grounding him amidst the chaos of global fame.

This year, Hamilton set out to recreate that magic. With Roscoe, now 13 and showing the unmistakable signs of aging—slower steps, a graying muzzle, and a need for more rest—Hamilton felt an urgency to make new memories while he still could. The island, with its turquoise waters and secluded beaches, seemed the perfect place to do so. He booked the trip, packed Roscoe’s favorite toys, and boarded a private plane, hopeful that the familiar sights and sounds would rekindle the joy of their past adventure.

Yet, from the moment they arrived, something was different. The island was as breathtaking as ever—golden sands, crystal waves, and vibrant sunsets—but the spark of their earlier visit was missing. Hamilton, usually so composed, found himself grappling with an unexpected wave of melancholy. The reason was clear: Coco was no longer with them. The spirited bulldog, who had been Roscoe’s partner in crime and a constant source of laughter, passed away unexpectedly a few years ago. Her absence left a void that no amount of tropical beauty could fill.

Coco’s death was a devastating blow to Hamilton. He had adopted both bulldogs as puppies, raising them with the same dedication he brought to his racing career. They traveled the world with him, from Monaco to Miami, their presence a constant in an otherwise unpredictable life. Coco, with her playful antics and fierce loyalty, had a special place in Hamilton’s heart. Her sudden loss—due to a congenital health issue common in bulldogs—left Hamilton reeling. He spoke openly about his grief at the time, sharing tributes to Coco on social media and admitting that her passing felt like losing a family member. For Roscoe, too, the loss was profound; the once-vibrant duo was now a solitary figure, and Roscoe’s demeanor seemed to carry the weight of that absence.

As Hamilton and Roscoe wandered the island’s familiar paths, the memories of Coco were inescapable. The beach where she once chased waves now felt eerily quiet. The shady spot under a palm tree, where Coco and Roscoe used to nap side by side, seemed incomplete without her. Hamilton noticed Roscoe’s reluctance to play as he once did, his energy sapped not just by age but by the absence of his companion. “It’s like he knows she’s not here,” Hamilton confided to a close friend during the trip. “We’re both feeling it.”

The trip, though filled with moments of beauty, became a meditation on impermanence. Hamilton, now 40, is no stranger to change. His career has been defined by adaptation—new teams, new regulations, new challenges. But the personal losses he’s faced, like Coco’s death and Roscoe’s declining health, have forced him to confront a different kind of vulnerability. Roscoe, who has been by Hamilton’s side through seven world championships and countless personal milestones, is nearing the end of his life. Veterinary checkups have revealed age-related ailments, and Hamilton is acutely aware that their time together is limited.

On the island, Hamilton found himself reflecting on Roscoe’s journey. The bulldog, once a boisterous puppy who bounded into Hamilton’s life, has grown into a wise, gentle companion. Roscoe’s vegan diet, carefully curated by Hamilton to ensure his health, has extended his life, but it cannot stop the march of time. As they sat together on the beach one evening, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Hamilton felt a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “He’s been my rock,” Hamilton said in a recent interview. “Every moment with him now feels like a gift, but it’s hard knowing what’s coming.”

The trip wasn’t without moments of joy. Roscoe, despite his age, still managed to waddle into the shallow waves, his tail wagging as he splashed in the water. Hamilton laughed as Roscoe shook off the saltwater, spraying him in the process—a fleeting echo of their happier days. They shared quiet moments, too, with Hamilton reading a book while Roscoe dozed at his feet, the sound of the ocean a soothing backdrop. These moments, though bittersweet, reminded Hamilton why he had wanted to return to the island. It wasn’t just about recapturing the past but about honoring the present, however imperfect it might be.

For Hamilton, the trip also sparked deeper reflections on his life beyond racing. As he prepares for what could be his final seasons in Formula 1, he’s increasingly focused on his legacy—both as a driver and as an advocate for causes like animal welfare. Roscoe and Coco have been central to his public persona, with their Instagram account boasting millions of followers. Hamilton has used their platform to promote pet adoption, veganism, and responsible pet care, issues he plans to champion long after he retires from racing. Coco’s death and Roscoe’s aging have only strengthened his resolve to make a difference.

As the trip drew to a close, Hamilton found a measure of peace. The island hadn’t delivered the unadulterated joy of nine years ago, but it had given him something else: clarity. He realized that the pain of loss, though heavy, was a testament to the depth of his bond with his dogs. Coco’s memory would always be a part of him, just as Roscoe’s presence continued to ground him. The journey, though tinged with sadness, was a reminder to cherish every moment with those he loves, whether on a racetrack or a remote beach.

Returning to the Formula 1 circuit, Hamilton carries this perspective with him. The Belgian Grand Prix looms, and with it, the chance to add to his storied career. But off the track, his focus remains on Roscoe, ensuring that his final days are filled with love and comfort. The paradise island, once a symbol of carefree joy, has become a place of reflection—a reminder that even in loss, there is beauty in the memories we hold dear.