Lewis Hamilton recently marked the first anniversary of his English Bulldog, Roscoe’s, passing. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion posted a tribute on social media on September 28, 2026, reflecting on the loss of his long-time companion. Roscoe died on September 28, 2025, at the age of 12.
Roscoe was a familiar presence within the Formula 1 paddock for over a decade. He frequently accompanied Hamilton to Grands Prix globally, becoming a recognisable figure to fans and personnel alike.
His status was formalised in 2013 when then-F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone granted Roscoe his own official paddock pass. This made Roscoe a unique fixture in a tightly controlled environment.
Hamilton adopted Roscoe in 2013, the same year he joined the Mercedes team. Roscoe travelled with Hamilton through six of his championship seasons with Mercedes.
Roscoe’s final illness involved a second bout of pneumonia in 2025. He was admitted to hospital and sedated for checks, during which his heart stopped.
He was placed in a coma and remained on life support for four days. Hamilton withdrew from a scheduled Pirelli tyre test in Italy to be by Roscoe’s side during this period.
Hamilton described the decision to put Roscoe to sleep as the ‘hardest decision of his life’. Roscoe passed away in Hamilton’s arms.
In his recent social media post, Hamilton stated that being without his ‘best friend’ has been difficult. He expressed that not a day passes without wishing Roscoe was still with him.
Hamilton also remembered his other English Bulldog, Coco, who died in 2020 from a suspected heart attack. He thinks of both dogs daily.
The Ferrari driver expressed gratitude for the time shared with both pets, noting they were present during some of the happiest moments of his life. He also thanked fans for their support.
The tribute post garnered over 500,000 likes, indicating the widespread affection for Roscoe among the F1 community and beyond.
Roscoe’s last public appearance in the paddock was at the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Earlier this season, at the British Grand Prix press conference in July 2026, Hamilton recalled a humorous memory of Roscoe. He mentioned Roscoe leaving ‘presents’ outside Valtteri Bottas’s door.
Hamilton has since welcomed a new Golden Retriever puppy named Halo into his family. Halo is being trained by Kirstin McMillan, who also worked with Roscoe and Coco.
It’s been one year since Roscoe’s passing. Being without my best friend has been hard, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish he was with me. I think of him and Coco every day, and as sad as I am to not have them, I’m so grateful for the time I shared with them and to have had them in my life.
