Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said that it was “devastating” to hear that he had hit a groundhog during the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Having started from fifth, the Ferrari driver was hopeful to get his first podium since joining the Scuderia from Mercedes this season. But his plans went up in the air after he collided with a groundhog and picked up damage.

“I was managing the tyre as well, so I was feeling optimistic and then I didn’t see it happen but obviously I heard I hit a groundhog, so that’s devastating. I love animals so I’m so sad about it. That’s horrible,” he said after finishing the race in sixth.

“That’s never happened to me here before. But the floor, basically the right side has a hole in it and all the veins are all gone. Then, we had a brake issue halfway through as well.”

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also confirmed the incident.

“It’s true that we had a small kiss with the marmot. It was lap eight or nine at the beginning of the first stint.

“And we damaged all the front part of the floor. It’s something like 20 points (of downforce). Hopefully, we didn’t have a big change in balance, but it was a lot of performance. We will send flowers to the marmot.”

Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari car was fifth. The race was won by George Russell of Mercedes, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull in second.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was third, claiming his maiden F1 podium.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri was fourth after a collision with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris with three laps to go. Norris wasn’t able to finish the race.