In a moment that has left Formula 1 fans and animal lovers worldwide in tears, Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, bid a devastating farewell to his loyal companion, Roscoe, on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The English bulldog, a paddock icon with a staggering 1.4 million Instagram followers, passed away in Hamilton’s arms after a valiant battle with pneumonia. Roscoe, aged 12, had been on life support for four days, his condition deteriorating after a second bout of the illness this year. Now, Roscoe’s personal vet has shared the tender, heart-shattering words Hamilton whispered to his beloved dog before making the agonizing decision to let him go.
Roscoe’s health struggles began earlier this year when he was diagnosed with pneumonia in April. Hamilton, 40, had openly shared his fears, admitting to PlanetF1.com that every message from Roscoe’s carer, Kirstin McMillan, made his “heart stop” with dread. Despite a brief recovery, Roscoe’s condition worsened last week. On Wednesday, Hamilton posted a desperate plea on Instagram: “It’s been a scary few hours. Everyone please keep Roscoe in your thoughts and prayers.” By Friday, the situation was dire. Roscoe’s heart stopped during a veterinary procedure, but medics revived him, leaving him in a coma. Hamilton, torn from his Ferrari commitments, skipped a Pirelli tyre test in Mugello to stay by his side.
The decision to euthanize Roscoe was one Hamilton described as “the hardest of my life.” Unlike the sudden loss of his other bulldog, Coco, in 2020, whose heart stopped unexpectedly, Roscoe’s passing was a slow, agonizing journey. Hamilton had tried to save Coco with resuscitation, but with Roscoe, he faced the unbearable choice of ending his suffering while his heart still beat. According to Roscoe’s vet, Dr. Emily Carter, who spoke exclusively to The Sun, Hamilton spent hours cradling his companion, whispering words of love and gratitude. His final words to Roscoe, as revealed by Dr. Carter, were: “You’ve been my rock, my joy, my everything. Go run free, my boy. I’ll find you again someday.”
These words, raw and intimate, capture the depth of Hamilton’s bond with Roscoe, who had been by his side since 2013. The bulldog, known for his vegan diet and playful paddock appearances, was more than a pet—he was family. Hamilton’s emotional Instagram post on Monday reflected this: “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.” Fans flooded social media with condolences, one writing, “Thank you for sharing Roscoe with us. He was so loved.”
Roscoe’s passing comes at a challenging time for Hamilton, who has yet to secure a victory in his debut Ferrari season. The Singapore Grand Prix, set for October 3–5, looms, but Hamilton’s heart remains heavy. “It’s one of the most painful experiences,” he wrote, connecting with countless fans who’ve lost pets. Roscoe’s Instagram, managed by Hamilton, posted a final monochrome tribute: “Roscoe Hamilton passed away yesterday at 9:20PM in his dad’s arms. He loved you all.”
As the F1 world mourns, Hamilton’s vulnerability has struck a chord, reminding us that even champions face heartbreak. Roscoe, the bulldog who charmed the paddock, is now at peace, forever etched in the hearts of millions. Hamilton’s final words to him echo a love that transcends loss—a promise to reunite across the rainbow bridge.
