Lewis Hamilton opens up on Roscoe loss and grief with emotional message to fans

Lewis Hamilton said he has been buoyed by the "overwhelming" support he has received since the death of his beloved dog Roscoe. The seven-time Formula 1 champion chose to put the bulldog to sleep on Sunday night after his heart stopped and he fell into a coma while under veterinary care.

Hamilton adopted Roscoe as a pup in 2013 and regularly brought him to F1 races. His last appearance was at the British Grand Prix in July, after recovering from a first bout of pneumonia before the infection struck again late last month and led to the racer losing what he has described as "the most important thing in my life".

In his first public appearance since announcing the loss, at the Marina Bay Circuit ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton thanked fans for the support he has received during a difficult period. "It has been amazing to see the support from so many people around the world," he said.

"It is overwhelming just to see how much Roscoe touched people and meant to people. The kind messages that I have received have been really uplifting, so I am really grateful for that. Anyone out there that knows what it is like to lose a pet, you know how painful it is. I read somewhere that grief is the last act of love, and I am definitely feeling that.

"I've not been able to reply to everybody but he was the most important thing in my life so it was a very difficult experience. I know so many people in the world have gone through it and know what it's like to have a pet that gives you such amazing love and it's an amazing experience.

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"But I'm really just looking forward to now just getting back in the car and doing what I love doing here." The focus now for Hamilton is to discover stronger form in the coming weeks after a difficult weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last time out saw Ferrari lose second place in the constructors' championship to rivals Mercedes.

He said he will be racing for not only himself but also for those who have supported him this week, as well as his Ferrari colleagues. Hamilton added: "I think there's a lot of people that deserve a good result from my side and this team. The Tifosi and the people that have been following me and all the people that have been checking in and been so supportive over this past whole year but also this past week.

"I think it's in moments like that where you really see people show up for you and that's been, as I said, really overwhelming to see and really well welcomed."