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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has withdrawn from a Formula 1 tyre test with Pirelli to remain at the side of his dog Roscoe, who is currently in a coma. The seven-time world champion revealed that his 12-year-old bulldog is battling pneumonia and had to be hospitalised. According to Hamilton, Roscoe was sedated while doctors ran checks, during which his heart suddenly stopped.
Writing on Instagram alongside photos of himself next to Roscoe's bedside, Hamilton shared that the veterinary team managed to revive the dog but that he is now in a coma. He added that they are unsure whether Roscoe will wake, and they plan to try to bring him round the following day. Hamilton expressed gratitude for the support and prayers he has received, explaining that he wants to stay close to his pet during this difficult time.
Hamilton had been scheduled to take part in testing at Italy's Mugello circuit on Friday, but he will instead be replaced by Chinese reserve driver Zhou Guanyu. Roscoe, who has built a social media following of 1.3 million on Instagram, is described on his profile as a vegan bulldog who enjoys travelling and playing ball. He is often seen accompanying Hamilton at race weekends and has become a familiar presence in the paddock.
In other developments, US President Donald Trump has suggested he may relocate matches at the 2026 World Cup if he considers certain host cities unsafe. The tournament, set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, with 78 of them taking place in the United States, including the final. Eleven American cities are scheduled to host fixtures, among them Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. Trump specifically mentioned the Democratic-run cities of San Francisco and Seattle, both of which are set to host six games each.
While world governing body Fifa is responsible for organising the competition and selecting host cities, Trump maintains close ties with its president Gianni Infantino and chairs the World Cup taskforce. He told reporters that the tournament would be safe, but if he felt it was not, he would seek to move matches elsewhere. The World Cup is due to run from June 11 to July 19, with the group stage draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC.
