Ahead of his first race in Italy as a Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton set aside the usual paddock tension to talk about something much more personal: the health of his dog Roscoe, who has been by his side for much of his career. The Brit admitted that his main concern is not his performance at Imola, but the well-being of his inseparable bulldog.

“Roscoe is already 12 and a half years old, he’s an old dog. He went through a bout of pneumonia, although he’s stable now. Still, every time I get a text from his caretaker, my heart skips a beat,” said the seven-time world champion, visibly emotional.

Roscoe has become a recognizable figure in the Formula 1 world, with over 1.2 million Instagram followers. He used to accompany Hamilton to races with his own paddock pass and even flew on private jets. “I hope to bring him to Silverstone in July and to Monza in September. I was with him before Miami, and he still wants to play. He still has that spirit, although he sleeps a lot,” Hamilton shared.

A mixed start with Ferrari, but hopes remain high

After leaving Mercedes, Hamilton is experiencing a transition year at Ferrari. While he did manage to win the sprint race in Shanghai, he hasn’t been able to finish higher than fifth in the six main Grands Prix so far this season. In Miami, he even had a tense radio exchange with his team, sarcastically suggesting: “Ferrari should take a tea break.”

Despite the ups and downs, Hamilton remains composed: “There’s a lot of hype in Imola. It’s a very special track, very close to the Maranello factory, and you can feel that. But it comes with the greatness of being part of Ferrari. There’s passion, history, and emotion everywhere.”

Ferrari, currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, is 152 points behind leader McLaren, whose star driver Oscar Piastri set the fastest time in the first practice session at Imola, followed closely by teammate Lando Norris. Spaniard Carlos Sainz posted the third-best time, while Fernando Alonso came in 14th.

Also noteworthy was the return of Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, who placed 17th in his Formula 1 comeback with Alpine. The session ended early due to a crash—without injuries—by Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who hit the barriers with his Kick Sauber.

Amidst lap times and strategies, Lewis Hamilton reminded everyone that sometimes, the heart beats louder for those who bark than for those who race.