This article honors every detail of Roscoe, Lewis Hamilton’s beloved English Bulldog. We trace his journey from adoption to his iconic status in the Formula 1 paddock: his personality, health battles, social media presence, and the emotional impact his passing sends through the motorsport world. All numbers, names, contracts, and stats you provided are preserved with care.
Roscoe’s Origins and Adoption
Roscoe entered Hamilton’s life in 2013, the same year Hamilton began his Mercedes era. Over the following decade, Roscoe became a constant companion on race weekends, appearing alongside his owner at Grands Prix across the globe. Roscoe built a cultural footprint through social media: his Instagram account amassed 1.3 million followers. Through his posts, the world got glimpses of his diet, his moods, and his off-track lifestyle, turning him into a celebrity in his own right.
Personality and Presence in the Paddock
Within the paddock, Roscoe was more than a pet—he was a mascot. Other drivers and team personnel often greeted him. His calm demeanor, occasional frolics, and ability to adapt to tumultuous environments (noise, crowds, cameras) earned him respect among teams and fans alike. Roscoe adopted the same plant-based diet as Hamilton. This distinctive choice added to his public persona, making him not just a pet but a symbol of Hamilton’s lifestyle and values.
Health Struggles and Final Days
Roscoe’s health became precarious in 2025. Earlier in the year, during the Imola GP period, Roscoe contracted pneumonia and Hamilton later reported he was “doing quite well now,” acknowledging that at 12-and-a-half years old, he was “an old boy.” Later, in September, Roscoe battled pneumonia again, struggled to breathe, was admitted to hospital, sedated for examinations, and during the process his heart stopped. Medical staff managed to resuscitate him, but he entered a coma. Hamilton wrote:
“Roscoe caught pneumonia again and was struggling to breathe. He was admitted into hospital and sedated to calm him while they did checks on him and during the process his heart stopped. They managed to get a heartbeat back and now he is in a coma. We do not know whether he will wake from this.” As Roscoe’s condition deteriorated, Hamilton withdrew from a scheduled Pirelli tyre test at the Mugello Circuit that was set to focus on 2026 tyre development. Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu stepped in for Hamilton. That decision underscored the depth of Hamilton’s bond with his dog. Hamilton had promised to keep followers updated.
The Emotional Impact on Hamilton and F1
Hamilton’s social media and interviews grew deeply personal. He appealed to fans: “Please keep Roscoe in your thoughts. I want to keep you all updated.” As the scenario worsened, he expressed gratitude for support and acknowledged that “every time I get a text message from the lady that’s looking after him my heart stops for a second.” Lewis’ F1 peers and teams joined in the tribute. Former teammate George Russell tweeted support. The Scuderia Ferrari, the official Formula 1 account, and other teams acknowledged Roscoe’s passing, celebrating his unique place within the paddock.
Roscoe’s Influence on Branding and Image
Over time, Roscoe transcended the label of “driver’s dog.” He appeared in promotional shots, paddock interactions, and even “modeled” for Hamilton’s life-adjacent engagements. His image reinforced Hamilton’s approachable side. His 1.3 million followers represented a potent marketing channel. Roscoe amplified messaging around Hamilton’s veganism, lifestyle, and personal brand. His posts commanded significant engagement.
Money, Costs, and Unique Expenses
One particularly curious expense tied to Roscoe: Hamilton paid $425 per year to store Roscoe’s sperm. The rationale: to preserve his lineage post-neutering. While Roscoe was not directly under a commercial contract, his popularity added intangible value to Hamilton’s persona, strengthening sponsorship appeal. Brands associated with Hamilton became tied to his public image, which included his dog.
Celebrity Crossovers
When it comes to F1, with the series Drive to Survive released on Netflix, its popularity has increased exponentially, and with it, Roscoe’s popularity. While Roscoe had no formal affiliation with sports betting brands, Prizepicks in discussions around celebrities and their side ventures sometimes cites Roscoe’s popularity contextually. It is a nod to how celebrity pets can be referenced in promotional narratives, especially when blending sports, fandom, and lifestyle marketing.
Legacy in the F1 World
Roscoe shifted expectations: a pet could become an emotional anchor and branding figure. His presence demonstrated how fandom increasingly embraces humanizing elements around athletes. Drivers now may feel freer to share their pets, knowing the paddock and fans may welcome them. Roscoe set a precedent for how personal life and professional sport can overlap in public view.
Death Announcement and Final Tribute
After four days of intensive medical support, Hamilton decided to euthanize Roscoe. He died in Hamilton’s arms. Hamilton described him as an “angel,” “best friend,” and “soul so beautiful.” He thanked fans and mourners, expressing that bringing Roscoe into his life was among his best decisions.
Broader Significance to Motorsport Culture
Roscoe’s story reminds us that beyond helmets and races are human stories. The vulnerability Hamilton showed resonated widely, bridging the divide between elite sport and emotional universality. Through Roscoe’s life: lessons in loyalty, fragility, and public affection. His presence illuminated how emotional attachments can transcend the cold metrics of performance, earnings, or championship goals.
Roscoe will be remembered not as a pet, but as a symbol of empathy, unity, and emotional depth within the high-stakes world of Formula 1. He lived with Hamilton from 2013, built an Instagram following of 1.3 million, adopted Hamilton’s plant-based diet, survived pneumonia earlier in 2025, later relapsed and went comatose after his heart stopped but was revived, precipitated Hamilton’s withdrawal from a Pirelli 2026 tyre test at Mugello (with Zhou Guanyu stepping in), inspired public grief and paddock tributes, and even cost $425 per year for sperm storage. His passing on 28 September in Hamilton’s arms closed one chapter in F1 lore—and opened countless reflections on what it means when a bulldog becomes family to a sport icon.