Lewis Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes, the crew that carried him to 6 world titles, this weekend as his future outfit Ferrari, search to grab a primary constructors’ crown in 16 years from McLaren, his first F1 dwelling.
For all involved, Sunday’s floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the Yas Marina Circuit will mark the tip of an period because the seven-time champion ends a exceptional 12-year spell with the ‘silver arrows’ and a 26-year affiliation with the Mercedes model.
He’ll then transfer on to Ferrari the place, Italy hopes, he can rediscover the mojo that made him the game’s most profitable driver with seven titles and 105 wins earlier than hitting a trough of frustration within the present ‘floor impact’ period.
This has seen Crimson Bull return to dominate with Max Verstappen successful 4 consecutive drivers’ titles even when this season noticed them decline, a fall that sees McLaren hanging on to a 21-point lead on Ferrari coming into the decisive season-ending race.
McLaren haven’t gained the groups’ title since 1998 whereas Ferrari ‘s final success got here in 2008 since when the championship has been dominated by Mercedes and Crimson Bull. A change is lengthy overdue.
Regardless of his travails in current weeks, notably in Brazil and Qatar, Hamilton will go away Mercedes feeling conflicting feelings.
“It’s a celebration of the whole lot we’ve achieved,” mentioned crew boss Toto Wolff of the anticipated finale.
“We’ll honour an unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi after which go to Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart and each Brixworth and Brackley… Lewis will at all times be a part of our household.”
He added that earlier than Hamilton’s last visits to the crew’s varied centres, the “total crew desires so as to add on extra spotlight to the reel.
“Nothing goes to remove 12 unimaginable years. That’s the reminiscence, not a season of races that have been notably dangerous.”
– ‘Good weekend’ –
Ferrari provided Hamilton a contract that runs till 2026, which Mercedes weren’t ready to do, giving him a continued platform not solely to bid for an unprecedented eighth title, but in addition to advertise range and inclusion.
For Hamilton, a Ferrari title success on Sunday could possibly be an ideal prelude to his transfer and assist erase his current tantrums and feedback about ending races and the season early.
Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur declared he isn’t in any respect anxious by Hamilton claiming he has misplaced his velocity.
“By no means,” he mentioned. “Take a look on the 50 laps he did in Vegas. Beginning P10, ending on the gearbox of Russell. No, I’m not anxious.”
Hamilton, who will probably be 40 in January, stays decided to “rise once more” and make his mark.
“I’m nonetheless standing,” he mentioned. “It’s not the way you fall, it’s the way you get again up.”
Carlos Sainz, whose seat he’s set to take, will even be in search of a contented exit as he and Charles Leclerc bid to overturn McLaren’s lead earlier than he leaves for Williams.
“Twenty-one factors requires an ideal weekend from Ferrari and a nasty weekend from McLaren,” he mentioned.
“We’re going to provide it our greatest shot. I believe if we nail a great weekend, we might nonetheless make it occur. Nothing to lose.”
On kind, at a circuit prone to favour them, McLaren begin as favourites however, after successful in Qatar, Verstappen will search a tenth win this yr along with his standard vim as Crimson Bull say goodbye to sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who’s shifting to Sauber/Audi.
The Dutchman can also carry prickly motivation from his Qatar fallout with Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell, a frightening spectre for his rivals.
His Crimson Bull team-mate Sergio Perez can also be in his final race with the crew after a hapless run whereas Alpine welcome Jack Doohan for his debut as alternative for Esteban Ocon.
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