WATCH: F1’s ‘furry friend’ Gary the Groundhog steals the show at Canadian GP with surprise appearance during Free Practice

Gary the groundhog and his friends kept the fans entertained during the free practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix.

WATCH: F1’s ‘furry friend’ Gary the Groundhog steals the show at Canadian GP with surprise appearance during Free Practice

Canadian GP (Image via F1)

The first Formula 1 Free Practice session at the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix was abandoned after a few minutes. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly had a driveshaft failure, which brought out the red flags. Though the session was going to resume, CCTV failure led the FIA to suspend the session for safety concerns. While fans gathered at the circuit to see F1 cars zoom through, they had to settle for groundhogs. 

It turns out that Gary the groundhog was the first to arrive at the circuit. Sky Sports F1’s crew gave the groundhog its name. It is safe to say Gary and his friends stole the show during FP1. The rodents invaded the track and entertained the fans during the red-flagged session. Montreal’s rodent residents had ample screen time and gave fans the top moment of the session. 

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Over the years, the Grand Prix organizers have tried to keep the rodents away from the track for the safety of both the rodents and the drivers. They took measures by introducing barriers and fences. However, it has proven to be an impossible task, as every year, the groundhogs make their appearance when the cars are in action. These rodents are common in Notre Dame Island, where the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located. 

Related: Charles Leclerc pays tribute to Gilles Villeneuve with special helmet for the Canadian GP

Throwback to the times groundhogs invaded the track during the Canadian GP

Gary the groundhog (Getty Images)
Gary the groundhog (Getty Images)

In 2022, the furry creature Gary the groundhog was out making rounds on the circuit during the practice session. The animal was sprinting in front of an Alpine and was lucky to avoid the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. Thankfully, he was not run over and made it out alive.

However, the same weekend former Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi hit a groundhog during FP3. He spotted the animal and hit the brakes, but it was too late. 

In 2018, there was another incident with the rodent.  Former Haas driver Romain Grosjean made contact with a groundhog. It led to his front wing damage during FP1 at the Canadian GP. Grosjean later said it was a shame for the animal and his front wing. A team like Haas with a tight budget had limited spare parts, and losing a front wing this way was upsetting for them.

Groundhogs have proven to be a nuisance during the Canadian GP weekend. The FIA’s efforts to keep them away have been fruitless. Though they fill up the holes, the rodents dig new ones and enter the track. Hence, during the Canadian GP, the F1 drivers have another challenge to watch out for the furry creatures. 

Just like Gary in Canada, there is Formulino in Imola. He is Imola’s lucky F1 paddock cat. Formulino even has a pass that makes him one of Imola’s personnel. He gets special access for the entire weekend. The cat also has his paddock pass photo. It is said that the drivers who come across the Imola cat end up having a good weekend. 

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