F1 lobbied by animal rights group after tragic marmot death

Animal rights organisation PETA has branded Alex Albon a "winner" following the incident in which the Williams driver struck and killed a marmot during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk praised Albon's actions in a statement, while urging organisers to take preventative steps.

"Alex Albon's decision to swerve to try to miss hitting a marmot on the track makes him a winner," Newkirk said.

"Showing both courage and compassion, he made the split-second choice to value the life of a vulnerable animal, and that wins him a place on the PETA podium.

"Other species don't understand racetracks or fast-moving cars; they're simply trying to go about their lives. PETA hopes this incident will prompt organisers to implement stronger deterrent measures to protect the animals who call these areas home and the drivers themselves."

Albon struck the marmot on the exit of Turn 6 during FP1 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday, losing control of his FW48 and crashing heavily into the barriers.

The damage proved far more extensive than initially feared, requiring a full power unit and gearbox change, and Albon was subsequently ruled out of sprint qualifying later that day.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, situated on an island park in the St Lawrence River, has long been a hotspot for wildlife encounters.

Groundhogs and marmots native to Île Notre-Dame have caused disruptions over the years, with Anthony Davidson striking one in 2007 and Sebastian Vettel narrowly avoiding another in 2018. Despite these recurring incidents, a permanent solution has yet to be found.

PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is the world's largest animal rights organisation. Founded in 1980, the US-based group campaigns against the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment and research, and regularly intervenes in high-profile sporting incidents involving wildlife.