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Canadian Grand Prix 2015: Lewis Hamilton wins again but groundhog near-miss peaks fans' interest as attentions waver

A processional affair in Montreal saw F1 fans clutching at anything worth talking about as fuel and brake saving dominate latest grand prix

Jack de Menezes
Monday 08 June 2015 11:34 BST
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And soon realises that three thoroughbred racers are heading straight in his direction
And soon realises that three thoroughbred racers are heading straight in his direction (Sky Sports)

Lewis Hamilton held off his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to win the Canadian Grand Prix. Heard this story before?

You’d be forgiven for watching the chequered flag come out in Montreal and questioning what the biggest talking point of Sunday evening’s race was. Was it Hamilton’s return to the top step of the podium? Kimi Raikkonen’s spin costing Ferrari a third-place finish? Or McLaren’s double retirement seeing them plunged into a crisis that shows no signs of abating any time soon.

There was one thing that Twitter users enjoyed most though, and it came in the form of a furry track invader. No, Jenson Button hasn’t regrown his beard, but a groundhog found its way onto the track and was nearly collected by a trio of cars during the race.

As Felipe Massa looked to maintain his position ahead of Pastor Maldonado and a charging Sebastian Vettel, the TV cameras showed what appeared to be a groundhog sitting in the middle of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve track.

The groundhog chooses a rather dangerous place to stop for a sit down (Sky Sports)
And soon realises that three thoroughbred racers are heading straight in his direction (Sky Sports)
The groundhog runs for cover as Massa takes evasive action (Sky Sports)

The V6 turbo engines introduced at the start of last season are a lot quieter than their V8 predecessors, but the groundhog was soon scampering for cover as the Williams, Lotus and Ferrari flashed past at around 150mph.

While it was groundhog day at the front as Hamilton took his fourth victory of the season, luckily this little critter lived to fight another day.

Al Pacino makes his way off the grid (Getty Images)

It wasn't all fun and games though. Hollywood A-lister Al Pacino made an appearance on the grid before lights out, only to quickly make an exit after growing disgruntled with the over-the-top attention he received from the world's media.

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