Lewis Hamilton’s last Mercedes dance before landing at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s last dance in Mercedes before landing in Ferrari
After 12 seasons, Lewis Hamilton is under no illusions that he will be able to say goodbye to Mercedes with a success, in Abu Dhabi, before moving to Ferrari in 2025: "I don't think it will end beautifully. It will end;. What matters is è giving it your all".
The last GP of the year will close a partnership that has brought the Anglo-German stable eight consecutive constructors’ championships, seven drivers’ titles (six of them thanks to Hamilton) and 120 Grands Prix. Meanwhile, the British champion è became the most successful driver ever in F1, winning six of his seven world championships, 84 of his 105 race victories and taking 78 of his 104 poles.
But 2024 for Hamilton é was frustrating, and it è became even more so as it drew to a close, with the rise of teammate George Russell. Victories at Silverstone and Spa, his first in two and a half years, were not enough to lift his spirits.
"When he made the decision to leave, we knew it was going to be a difficult year. È normal,” said Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff, “But nothing will take 12 incredible years away from him. Those will remain in the memory, rather than a season or races that were particularly bad".
These were Hamilton’s words at the press conference: "I’m pretty calm at the moment. I feel positive and enthusiastic, I wish I could give everything. It is hard to describe the emotions, but I am proud of what we have achieved and I am proud of this team".
Despite "being one of the worst years" of his career, the seven-time F1 champion wanted to remember "the smiles when we won, like the first time in 2014 in Australia. He will never forget the tears of an engineer. I am grateful to everyone who worked on the track and in the factory to support me from day one". Compared to McLaren's farewell in 2012, the one at Mercedes "é different emotionally, more emotional because Ié been a part of it for 12 years".