Lewis Hamilton says he is overwhelmed by the support he received after the death of his dog, Roscoe.
The sevenfold world champion announced on Sunday that he had to sleep his 12-year-old Bulldog, due to complications of pneumonia. Roscoe has made a number of paddock visits since Hamilton in 2013 besides another Bulldog, Coco, took over and an important online follows of 1.5 million of his own.
“Yes, [I’ve had] Many messages, “said Hamilton.” Quite overwhelming to be honest to see how many people have touched Roscoe all over the world and really heart -warming to receive.
“I couldn’t answer everyone, but it was the most important thing in my life, so it was a very difficult experience. I know that so many people in the world went through it and know what it’s like to have a pet that gives you such a great love and it’s a great experience. But I really look ahead to come back in the car and do what I do here.”
Hamilton arrives in the Grand Prix of Singapore in search of his first stage with Ferrari, and although he wanted to thank supporters for the messages he had, he stopped putting extra emphasis on the result of this weekend.
“I think there are many people who earn a good result on my part and this team. The Tifosi and the people who have followed me and all the people who have checked in and have been supportive in the past year, but especially this last week.
“I think it is in such moments where you really see people standing up for you and that, as I said, is really overwhelming to see and really welcomed well.”
After completing a disappointing eighth in Baku, the weekend started so strongly, Hamilton says that he is being encouraged by the progress that Ferrari has made, despite recent results.
“I feel absolutely optimistic for this weekend,” he said. “There have been many lessons from the last few races and certainly making progress and feel better in the car. The performance was not perfect in the last race, but there are many lessons from that and I hope that we can benefit and continue this weekend.
“Every weekend it is difficult to say, because this will be the first time that the car controls a Ferrari around Singapore, the car felt really great to start the last Grand Prix and we just didn’t worry through the weekend. But as I said, there have been lessons about why that was and so I think we will have a better approach this weekend.
“It is clear that the last week I didn’t have as much time as I would like with the team, but I know they worked very hard in the factory. And we have overtaken in recent days, so I feel optimistic to come in.
“I have no idea how fast the others will be. They will clearly be fast, the Red Bull is very fast and just like the McLarens and Mercedes too. So we have a lot of work to do. I think qualification is the key this weekend, so that will be the focus.”
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