He died in my arms – Lewis Hamilton mourns pet Roscoe

By John Ogunsemore

Seven-time F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton on Monday announced the death of his English bulldog Roscoe sharing a heartfelt tribute on Facebook after the pet passed away following a battle with illness.

The British racing driver revealed that Roscoe, who had been on life support for four days, died in his arms on Sunday evening, September 28.

Hamilton described the decision to euthanise his companion as “the hardest decision of my life,” emphasising the pet’s dogged fight until the end.

He said, “After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe.

“He never stopped fighting, right until the very end. I feel so grateful and honoured to have shared my life with such a beautiful soul, an angel and true friend.”

Hamilton, 40, reflected on the profound bond they shared, calling adopting Roscoe “the best decision I ever made” and cherishing the memories they created together.

He also connected his grief to the loss of his previous dog, Coco, who died in 2020 from a suspected heart attack, noting this was his first experience with putting a pet to sleep.

“Although I lost Coco, I have never been faced with putting a dog to sleep before, though I know my mum and many close friends have,” he added.

“It is one of the most painful experiences and I feel a deep connection to everyone who has gone through the loss of a beloved pet.”

The driver expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans over the years, saying, “Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel.”

He noted that despite the pain, “having him was one of the most beautiful parts of life, to love so deeply and to be loved in return.”

Roscoe’s health decline came to light last week when Hamilton shared on social media that the dog had fallen ill with pneumonia and was placed in a coma, prompting him to withdraw from a scheduled Pirelli tyre test with Ferrari on September 26.

Adopted in 2013 at around six weeks old alongside Coco during Hamilton’s first year with Mercedes, Roscoe became a fixture in the F1 paddock and a social media star.

The vegan-fed bulldog, believed to be about 12 years old at the time of his death, amassed over a million followers on his Instagram account, @roscoelovescoco, where he was often featured travelling with Hamilton to races, enjoying playtime, and charming fans.

Roscoe’s celebrity status extended to trackside appearances, where photographers and supporters frequently captured his antics.

Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025 after an illustrious career with Mercedes, has long advocated for animal welfare and often highlighted his pets’ plant-based lifestyle.