For over a decade, Lewis Hamilton’s bulldog, Roscoe, was more than just a pet; he was a fixture in the Formula 1 paddock, a celebrity in his own right, and the most constant companion to one of the greatest athletes in the world. As the champion celebrated what would have been his loyal dog’s thirteenth birthday, he moved his global fanbase with an emotional social media tribute, a powerful meditation on love and loss that revealed the extraordinary, life-altering depth of their bond.
Roscoe arrived in Hamilton’s life in 2013, the very year the driver joined Mercedes and embarked on the most dominant run in F1 history. As the Grand Prix weekends became a blur of speed, relentless pressure, and global travel, the stocky English bulldog became Hamilton’s anchor. He was famously seen strolling through the garages, posing for photoshoots, and even boasting his own vegan diet and social media following, providing a grounding, joyful presence amidst the high-stakes environment.
The seven-time World Champion’s birthday post began as a heartfelt ode to the memories they shared: a collection of warm photos, reminiscing about Roscoe’s playful antics and the unconditional love he offered. “Thinking of Roscoe always and especially today which would have been his 13th birthday. I miss you every day, buddy,” Hamilton wrote, immediately drawing an outpouring of shared grief and empathy from millions of followers who had watched their relationship blossom over the years.
The emotional core of the tribute, however, lay in the final, unscripted lines of his message. Beyond the typical expressions of devotion, Hamilton offered a private detail about their daily life that perfectly encapsulated the effort and commitment he poured into their relationship. He revealed that for the final four or five years of Roscoe’s life, as the dog battled various health issues, the driver had personally taken on a very specific, daily responsibility to ensure his pet’s comfort and well-being.
“I made him rice twice a day to mix with his food, it helped his stomach a lot. Did that for the last maybe 4 or 5 years, fresh rice twice a day every single day. I thought about making rice for dinner the other day and I couldn’t do it. Haven’t made rice since losing him,” 1the final lines read.
This simple admission struck a profound chord. It was not a grand gesture or a dramatic announcement, but the quiet revelation of a tireless, everyday ritual of care. For Hamilton, who maintains a brutal F1 schedule that sees him constantly traversing time zones and continents, the act of preparing fresh rice, twice a day, every single day, for nearly half a decade, was a monumental act of devotion. It speaks volumes about a man who, despite the extreme pressures of competing at the highest level of motorsport, prioritized the intimate, consistent needs of his beloved dog.
The detail revealed how deeply Roscoe was integrated into the fabric of the champion’s life. The inability to make rice now, a simple domestic task, highlighted the sudden, painful void left by the loss of that routine. It showed that the grief was not just for the absence of a companion, but for the loss of a shared purpose—the daily, dedicated act of love that defined their extraordinary connection.
Hamilton’s willingness to share this intensely personal, mundane detail resonated globally, reminding fans that behind the helmet and the celebrity veneer is a human being capable of profound, sacrificial love. The story of Roscoe will forever be intertwined with the Hamilton legend, not just as a paddock mascot, but as the soul who inspired a champion’s most quiet, consistent, and touching devotion.
