Lewis Hamilton has made his first public appearance at the Singapore Grand Prix since losing his beloved bulldog Roscoe earlier this week.
The seven-time world champion arrived at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for this weekend's race, keeping a low profile with his cap pulled down as he walked through the paddock.
Speaking to reporters, Hamilton revealed he's been deeply moved by the response to his loss.
"It's been amazing to see the support from so many people around the world. It's overwhelming to see how much Roscoe helped and touched people," Hamilton said to Sky Sports.
Lewis Hamilton cut a lonely figure at the Singapore Grand Prix
|REUTERS
"The kind messages I've received have been uplifting.
"Anyone out there who knows how to lose a pet, they know how painful it is.
"I read somewhere that grief is the last act of love and I'm definitely feeling that."
The 40-year-old driver announced on Monday that Roscoe had died in his arms after spending four days on life support.
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Lewis Hamilton revealed he was 'overwhelmed' by the response to the death of Roscoe
|SKY SPORTS
The 12-year-old bulldog had been battling pneumonia and suffered a cardiac arrest during sedation last week.
Hamilton adopted Roscoe in 2013, the same year he joined Mercedes, along with another bulldog named Coco, who died in 2020.
Roscoe became a celebrity in his own right, accompanying Hamilton to numerous races and attracting crowds wherever he went.
The dog even had his own Instagram account with over 1.4 million followers.
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"He was the most important thing in my life," Hamilton said.
"It was a very difficult experience."
He added that moments like these reveal who truly shows up for you, calling the support "overwhelming" and "really well welcomed".
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Lewis Hamilton pictured with his dog Roscoe back in July | GETTYDespite the heartbreak, Hamilton is focused on delivering for those who've supported him.
"There's a lot of people that deserve a good result from my side and this team," he explained.
"The tifosi, the people who've been following me, and everyone who's been checking in and showing support this past week.
"I'm really just looking forward to getting back in the car and doing what I love.
"It's a track I've gone well at and I've started to feel a lot better in the car since the summer break. I'm hoping it will be this weekend."
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