Max Verstappen was mid-sentence in a post-race interview when Roscoe Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton’s beloved bulldog, waddled up to him. The dog, known for his calm but curious personality, seemed unusually eager to get Verstappen’s attention. Cameras caught the moment Roscoe nudged Verstappen’s leg and sniffed at his shoes, leaving the Dutch driver momentarily distracted.

At first, Verstappen’s reaction was a puzzled glance down at the dog, followed by a slight step back. He gave a polite smile but didn’t reach down to pet Roscoe, which surprised fans who are used to seeing drivers warmly greet the paddock’s unofficial mascot. Instead, Verstappen glanced off-camera, seemingly waiting for someone to retrieve the dog.

This mild but noticeable hesitation instantly set social media buzzing. Many fans speculated whether Verstappen was simply caught off guard or if there was more to the interaction. Clips of the moment went viral, with captions ranging from playful jokes about “team rivalries extending to pets” to more serious guesses about Verstappen’s mood.

Roscoe Hamilton, a regular figure in the paddock thanks to Lewis’s habit of bringing him along to races, is adored by many in the F1 community. He has his own Instagram account, where he “posts” about life on tour, naps, and his love for healthy snacks. It’s not unusual for Roscoe to wander up to drivers, team staff, or even journalists during downtime.

However, Verstappen’s slightly awkward handling of the encounter stood out because most drivers instantly melt around the dog. George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Daniel Ricciardo have all been filmed kneeling down to pet Roscoe mid-interview without missing a beat. Verstappen’s more reserved body language led some to wonder if he was trying to remain professional—or if he simply isn’t much of a dog person.

After the interview, Verstappen briefly addressed the incident when asked by a Dutch reporter. Laughing, he explained, “I was just focused on the question and didn’t want to lose my train of thought. Roscoe’s great—he’s just a bit heavier than I expected when he leaned on me.”

Lewis Hamilton, for his part, seemed amused when shown the clip. He reportedly told friends in the paddock that “Roscoe has his own way of testing people’s energy.” Whether the moment was pure coincidence or a playful twist of fate, it added yet another lighthearted chapter to the ever-colorful world of Formula 1.