Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, 2026

Another Formula 1 driver had a run-in with the wildlife at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the second day of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

Pierre Gasly ran over a groundhog during Saturday’s qualifying session, 24 hours after Alexander Albon hit one in the practice session.

While Albon crashed after hitting the animal, Gasly was able to continue. However the damage to his car further complicated the difficulties Gasly has had with his car since the previous round in Miami.

“For Pierre, we tried some experiments on set-up and changed some aerodynamic components to try and put him in a happier place in the car,” explained the team’s racing director Steve Nielsen. “While it’s marginally better, he’s clearly still not at ease with the package as it stands and we must continue digging to understand why as it’s certainly uncharacteristic to see him so far off where we expect him to be.

“Unfortunately, he suffered some floor damage in Q1 as a result of hitting a trackside groundhog, which impacted his car’s handling in Q2.”

Gasly appeared unaware of the damage to his car when he spoke immediately after qualifying.

“We’re extremely slow on my side,” he said. “We know we clearly have work to do, but at the moment it’s just been two weekends, exactly the same thing.”

“I can feel that it’s something is not working, but I need the team to help me,” he added.

Several drivers have collided with animals in previous events at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but such incidents appear to have become more common. In addition to the two groundhogs killed this weekend, Lewis Hamilton hit another during last year’s race.

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2026 Canadian Grand Prix

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Keith Collantine

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing. View all posts by Keith Collantine