The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, held on June 15 in Montreal, was supposed to be an opportunity for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari to shine on a legendary circuit. But what promised to be a promising race turned into a nightmare for the Italian team and its star driver. An unexpected and devastating incident not only ruined Hamilton’s podium chances but also highlighted the ongoing challenges Ferrari faces this season. The accident, involving a marmot on the track, left the team without a response and sparked intense debate among fans and observers.
From the start, Hamilton seemed in a strong position. Qualifying fifth on the grid, he matched his best qualifying performance of the season, excluding his pole position in the sprint race in Shanghai. With a bold strategy and a Ferrari showing signs of competitiveness, the Briton was aiming for a first podium since joining the Scuderia in 2025. But on lap eight, an unlikely and tragic event disrupted the race. A marmot, wandering around the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, was hit by Hamilton’s Ferrari, causing significant damage to the floor of the car. According to team principal Frédéric Vasseur, the impact resulted in a loss of approximately 20 points of aerodynamic downforce, seriously compromising the car’s performance.
The incident, reported by several media outlets, including Motorsport.com, left Hamilton distraught. In an interview with Sky Sports, the seven-time world champion expressed his distress: “I didn’t see it coming. I felt a shock, but I didn’t know what it was. When they told me it was a marmot, I was devastated. I love animals, and it hurts.” This sensitive reaction touched many fans, although some commentators, particularly on Canal+, mocked his emotion. Yet the accident didn’t only affect Hamilton personally. The damage cost him about half a second per lap, relegating him to sixth place at the finish, far behind the leaders.
Ferrari, already under pressure after a disappointing 2025 season, failed to respond effectively. Vasseur tried to play down the incident with a touch of humor, saying: “We’ll give flowers to the marmot.” But this lightheartedness did not mask the team’s shortcomings. The SF-25, criticized for its ride height issues and lack of competitiveness, has only scored three podiums this season, all attributed to Charles Leclerc. Hamilton, for his part, admitted that the car was “not where it should be” and called for urgent changes, including an update planned before the British Grand Prix.
The accident also rekindled speculation about Hamilton’s future at Ferrari. According to Auto Racer, the team is considering halting development of the SF-25 at the end of June to focus on the 2026 car, a decision influenced by the Briton. This strategy, while forward-looking, risks frustrating Leclerc, who recently said it was “too early to give up on the season.” With a nearly 200-point deficit to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari already appears resigned to a year of transition.
The Canadian Grand Prix also highlighted structural problems within the team. Hamilton pointed to a clumsy pit stop strategy, which saw him stuck in traffic, as well as brake issues that complicated his race. These execution errors, combined with the marmot incident, amplified the team’s sense of helplessness. As Vasseur pointed out, “you have to focus on what you get out of the car, more than its raw potential.”
This episode, although marked by an unusual incident, reflects Ferrari’s struggle to regain its former glory. For Hamilton, who dreamed of restoring the Scuderia to its former glory, the road ahead is proving more difficult than expected. As the next races approach, the team will not only have to heal its wounds, but also prove that it can translate its ambitions into concrete results. The collision with the marmot, as trivial as it may seem, will remain a symbol of the unforeseen obstacles that mark Ferrari’s 2025 season.
