Roscoe, the cherished 12-year-old bulldog of Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton, has died following a critical battle with pneumonia. The heartbreaking news was shared by Hamilton himself in a deeply personal post on social media Monday morning.
Hamilton, 40, revealed that Roscoe passed away peacefully in his arms on the evening of Sunday, September 28th. “Lost my best friend last night,” Hamilton wrote on X. “Thank you all for the love you’ve shown him over the years. Roscoe forever.”
Hamilton, who recently missed a Pirelli tire test at Mugello and a Ferrari event in Milan to be with Roscoe, opened up about the painful decision he faced after days of emotional turmoil. “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 posted on Instagram. “He never stopped fighting, right until the very end.”
Roscoe had been hospitalized earlier in the week due to complications from pneumonia. The situation worsened after he was sedated for tests and his heart suddenly stopped. Veterinarians managed to revive him, but he was placed in a coma.
“He was admitted into hospital and sedated to calm him while they did checks on him and during the process his heart stopped,” Hamilton shared. “They managed to get a heartbeat back and now he’s in a coma. I’m by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.”
Just months earlier, Roscoe had also been treated for pneumonia. Despite showing signs of improvement at that time, the condition returned last week, proving too much for the bulldog to overcome.
Roscoe's passing comes five years after Hamilton lost his other bulldog, Coco, who died from a suspected heart attack in 2020. But this was the first time Hamilton had to make the call to put a dog to sleep, a decision he described as excruciating.
“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,” Hamilton wrote. “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.”
'He continued, “Although it was so hard, having him was one of the most beautiful parts of life, to love so deeply and to be loved in return.”
Hamilton first adopted Roscoe in 2013, the same year he joined the Mercedes AMG F1 team. Roscoe quickly became a mainstay in Hamilton’s life and public appearances, whether walking beside him on red carpets, showing up in the F1 paddock, or even stealing the spotlight during awards ceremonies, like at the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year.
Reflecting on their bond, Hamilton said, “Bringing Roscoe into my life was the best decision I ever made, and I will forever cherish the memories we created together.”
The seven-time world champion expressed gratitude to the global fanbase that had come to love Roscoe nearly as much as he did. “Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel.”
Alongside his tribute, Hamilton shared several photos on Instagram, including quiet outdoor moments with Roscoe and a moving image of the dog’s paw resting in his hand.