Romain Grosjean’s preparations for the Canadian Grand Prix were briefly interrupted after hitting a marmot that damaged his front wing at Montreal.
The Haas F1 driver struck the animal at the end of the high-speed back straight, causing significant damage to a new front wing which was part of a an extensive aero package update the team brought to Canada.
Grosjean admitted he was surprised officials hadn’t removed the marmot from the track after it was captured by television cameras earlier.
“It was a big impact. It was a big animal,” said Grosjean.
“It’s a bit disappointing because they showed it on TV before the beginning of the session at Turn 13, and that’s exactly where I hit it.
“I’m surprised they didn’t move it. It’s a shame for the animal, of course, and it’s a shame for our front wing as well.
“We are quite limited on spare parts, and losing a front wing like this is a bit disappointing.
“It felt like a big impact. If that happens to you in the race, your race is over – the damage was quite big.”
Grosjean ended Practice 2 as the best of the rest in seventh, 1.4s shy of pacesetter Max Verstappen.
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