Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans
Edition
It was 'Groundhog Day' at the Canadian Grand Prix as one of the critters ran onto the track during first practice at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The event returned to Montréal for the first time since 2019, with familiar friend Gary the Groundhog - so named by Sky Sports F1's crew - making his return too.
The animal was lucky to escape being driven over by Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz as he ran into oncoming traffic and narrowly made it to safety at the other side.
'Groundhog' trended on Twitter as Formula 1 fans reacted to the bizarre scenes, with one quick-fingered social media user even setting up a "Garry the GroundHog" account to reply to the official F1 channel.
Happy to not be flattened by Sainz
— Garry The GroundHog (@GarryGroundhog) June 17, 2022
⛔ First groundhog track invasion of the weekend! ⛔ pic.twitter.com/YOVQcHOgP3
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 17, 2022
You won't see a wilder scene this weekend. Literally.
— GPFans Global (@GPFansGlobal) June 17, 2022
Gary the Groundhog narrowly avoids being killed at the #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/HyDZ5v7aC9
It isn't the Canadian GP if you don't have a groundhog crossing the circuit. 🤣 #CanadianGP
— Paul McGinnes 🏁 (@PaulMcG92) June 17, 2022
Watch out little friend! 🥺
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 17, 2022
A brave groundhog makes a daring dash between Alonso and Sainz's cars#CanadianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L1VrUb05Js
Carlos Sainz was inches away from hitting a groundhog!#CanadianGP #FP1 pic.twitter.com/8IsdoWC7I1
— GPFans Global (@GPFansGlobal) June 17, 2022
Holy ships... Sainz just about avoided the little groundhog
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) June 17, 2022
Ground hog under investigation
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 17, 2022
What the hell has happened since Masi left? First Porpoises and now Groundhogs....F1 isn't the sport I used to love......😓
— Michael Heppenstall (@mickstereftb) June 17, 2022
Don't mind me having a mini panic attack watching that groundhog crossing the track. Lol #F1 #CanadianGP
— JH (@JPAHub) June 17, 2022
If I would hit a groundhog with my car I would actually cry
— LOU (@MarieLouisenlF1) June 17, 2022
Drivers sending a message to Gary the Groundhog #CanadaGP pic.twitter.com/nTasmU5fp9
— Tim Wagner 🏁🎳📷🚗 (@timwagner66) June 17, 2022
Groundhog on front of sainz!!! pic.twitter.com/Q6INp7dEEy
— Ryan richie 6776 ⚡ (@maniac6776) June 17, 2022