In a touching display of inter-species friendship that transcends the high-stakes world of Formula 1, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc made headlines not for his on-track performance, but for a compassionate off-track gesture. Following a grueling Pirelli tire test session at Monza on September 29, 2025, Leclerc, accompanied by his beloved dachshund Leo, rushed to a veterinary hospital in Milan to visit Roscoe, the bulldog belonging to his new teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Roscoe, the iconic F1 paddock pooch, has been battling a severe recurrence of pneumonia, complicated by a cardiac arrest that left him in a coma—a ordeal that has gripped the hearts of fans worldwide.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of Ferrari’s intense preparations for the upcoming season. Hamilton, who joined the Scuderia in 2025 after a storied career with Mercedes, was unable to participate in the crucial tire test due to his unwavering commitment to staying by Roscoe’s side. “Lewis has been at the hospital round the clock,” a team insider revealed. “He’s prioritizing his furry family member over everything else right now.” With Hamilton absent, the responsibility fell squarely on Leclerc’s shoulders to represent Ferrari during the test, evaluating new compounds aimed at improving grip and durability for the 2026 regulations. Leclerc, ever the professional, couldn’t afford to skip the session, pushing through laps under variable weather conditions to provide vital feedback to engineers.
But as soon as the checkered flag dropped on the test, Leclerc’s focus shifted from rubber to loyalty of a different kind. He boarded a private jet with Leo in tow, crossing borders from Italy to ensure the little dachshund could be there for his canine companion. The two dogs—Roscoe, the laid-back English bulldog famous for his vegan diet and celebrity lifestyle, and Leo, the energetic pup often seen frolicking in Leclerc’s Monaco home—have shared a special bond since their first encounters in the F1 paddock. Over the years, they’ve been spotted playing together during race weekends, their antics providing light-hearted relief amid the roar of engines. “They’re like old pals,” Leclerc shared in a post-visit interview. “Leo and Roscoe have this unspoken connection. They’ve nuzzled noses at Silverstone, chased balls in Bahrain—it’s pure joy.”
What prompted this urgent visit, despite medical advice to limit disturbances for Roscoe’s recovery? Leclerc explained it stemmed from Leo’s own distress. In the days leading up to the test, the usually playful dachshund had been unusually restless, whining incessantly and rubbing against Leclerc’s legs even when his health seemed off-kilter. “I could tell something was wrong,” Leclerc recounted. “Leo wasn’t eating well, and he kept pacing. It hit me—he sensed Roscoe was in trouble. Dogs have that intuition, you know? He wanted to be there, to offer comfort in his own way.”
Veterinarians at the hospital, while emphasizing the need for quiet to aid Roscoe’s fight against the pneumonia relapse and post-cardiac arrest complications, allowed a brief, supervised visit. Photos leaked on social media show a poignant scene: Leo gently nuzzling close to the comatose Roscoe, who lay hooked up to monitors in his private room. Leclerc described it as “a prayer from one friend to another,” a moment that brought tears to his eyes. “Leo just sat there, whimpering softly, as if willing Roscoe to wake up. It was heartbreaking but beautiful.”
This isn’t the first health scare for Roscoe, now 13 years old. The bulldog has faced respiratory issues before, but this episode—marked by a sudden cardiac arrest during a routine check-up—has been the most severe. Hamilton, a vocal advocate for animal welfare, has been updating fans via X (formerly Twitter), posting, “My boy’s a fighter. Grateful for the love pouring in.” The seven-time world champion’s absence from the tire test underscores the personal toll of F1’s demanding schedule, but it also highlights the human (and canine) elements that make the sport relatable.
Leclerc’s act has sparked a wave of support from the F1 community. Fellow drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris sent well-wishes, while fans flooded social media with #GetWellRoscoe hashtags. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised Leclerc’s empathy: “Charles showed what it means to be a teammate—on and off the track.”
As Roscoe remains in a coma, with vets optimistic about gradual improvement through intensive care, this visit serves as a reminder of the bonds that endure beyond rivalries. In a world of speed and strategy, sometimes the slowest, furriest gestures speak the loudest. Leclerc hopes Leo’s presence provided a spark of healing energy. “Dogs don’t understand borders or illnesses,” he said. “They just know love.”
