Bahrain Grand Prix practice had to be stopped on Friday afternoon because of a dog managing to get out on to the track. The bizarre incident brought hilarious reactions from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton, told that there was a dog on track at Turn One, joked on the team radio: “I hope it’s not Roscoe.”

The seven-time Formula One world champion takes British bulldog Roscoe, who he recently revealed eats a full vegan diet, to every race with him.

The pair are virtually inseparable and Roscoe was even pictured in Mercedes’ celebrations at the Turkish Grand Prix earlier this month as Hamilton wrapped up his seventh drivers’ championship to tie level with Michael Schumacher.

While the unexpected appearance of the on-track canine prompted Vettel to launch into a chorus of 2000s pop classic Who Let The Dogs Out by Baha Men.

The German also joked: “If I knew that dogs were allowed I’d have brought mine!”

Even more bizarrely, it is not the first time this season that a dog has managed to get out on to the tarmac.

Only in Turkey two weeks ago, another pup managed to get a runaround – although no cars were on the track at that time.

Back in 2008 in Istanbul, Brazilian Bruno Senna hit and killed one of two dogs during a GP2 race before Sunday’s F1 equivalent.

But thankfully this time around, there were no grim scenes, with drivers and teams all laughing off the unusual situation.

Reacting to the official F1 account’s tweet, McLaren wrote: “LOOK HOW HAPPY HE IS” while Renault said: “We need him as Pitlane Dog!”

McLaren also later posted: “*Admin signs off for the evening to go and find the dog.*” with Racing Point responding: “Oh no you don’t, that dog is going to be ours!”

The Bahrain session was earlier red-flagged after Red Bull’s Alex Albon suffered a big crash into the barriers.

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