Three years on from the hardest day of ’s profession in , this closing lap on the Yas Marina Circuit was altogether sweeter. There was no right here; simply pure racing.
Certain, it didn’t actually matter. Hamilton doesn’t compete in , a month earlier than his fortieth birthday, to complete in fourth. Who even is aware of how bothered his teammate was in defence? However swooping across the outdoors of George Russell within the Marina part of lap 58 reminded the world – even when tv protection did excruciatingly reduce away – why pursued the Briton for half a dozen years.
It additionally marked the ultimate time his race engineer, Peter “Bono” Bonnington, mentioned his iconic catchphrase, instructing his driver to push flat-out.
“When [Bono] mentioned it was ‘hammer time’, I did discover in that second… that’s the final time I’m going to listen to that,’” Hamilton mentioned post-race. There have been no tears, simply an air of somberness within the Yas Marina media pen.
“It’s historical past now and all my races have been powered by , and all of the success we’ve had, I simply sat there to consider all that and simply ponder how nice a journey it’s been.
“I’m going to overlook them – I can’t inform you how a lot I’m going to overlook them. It’s going to be an enormous quantity.”
However Hamilton’s cost from sixteenth to fourth within the fourth-quickest automotive on the grid is indicative of why Scuderia chairman John Elkann didn’t suppose twice when Hamilton gave him the all-clear in January, parting methods with £40m-a-year to signal the game’s most embellished driver. Thirty-nine years younger, Hamilton has truly simply concluded his worst-ever F1 season .
However the seven-time world champion remains to be a grasp on raceday. He can concoct an overtake completely, attacking when the second is true. He can hone his tyres to optimum impact. He can decide the broader grand prix state of affairs, voicing his opinions strongly on the radio, to a tee.
However the statistics do inform a barely paradoxical story this yr. He was crushed 19-5 by Russell within the head-to-head stakes in qualifying. He completed seventh, together with his worst-ever factors tally. However he did win two races – in Silverstone and Spa – which ended his .
When given a automotive in competition, Hamilton is a unique beast. And that’s the reason his 2025 transfer to Ferrari is so hair-raising.
Hamilton’s cost via the sector on Sunday was solely bettered by his teammate subsequent yr, Charles Leclerc, who fought from nineteenth to 3rd as Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors’ title with race winner Lando Norris . The Monegasque is likely one of the quickest drivers over one lap in System 1 and Hamilton must enhance his qualifying efficiency to supply a championship problem subsequent yr. Fortunately, he’s about that.
On the flip facet, spare a thought for the person he replaces.
For such a historic transfer, there was all the time going to be a fall man. Carlos Sainz’s profession was turned upside-down previous to the 2024 marketing campaign, however wins in Melbourne and Mexico (and Singapore final yr) signify a driver who, at 30, is on the high of his recreation and is the final word skilled.
This yr, Sainz completed fifth within the standings – 55 factors away from Russell and 87 forward of Hamilton.
TOP-10 – DRIVER STANDINGS 2024
1. Max Verstappen – 437 factors (champion)
2. Lando Norris – 374 factors
3. Charles Leclerc – 356 factors
4. Oscar Piastri – 292 factors
5. Carlos Sainz – 290 factors
6. George Russell – 245 factors
7. Lewis Hamilton – 223 factors
8. Sergio Perez – 152 factors
9. Fernando Alonso – 70 factors
10. Pierre Gasly – 42 factors
He completed in second place right here, on his closing drive in scarlet pink. And whereas there may be optimism that the Williams workforce he joins are on observe to be contenders come the following set of rules in 2026, it is extremely a lot a long-term mission. The Spaniard can depend himself extraordinarily unfortunate to not be filling in at Pink Bull or Mercedes subsequent yr.
It’s why for all of Hamilton’s arduous work over 24 gruelling races within the cockpit, his finest resolution this yr was placing pen-to-paper previous to the season commencing. If Hamilton even waited a month or two (Sainz received race three in Australia), the choice could not have been as easy because it appeared – from a Ferrari perspective – initially of 2024.
However we’ve recognized all yr: Hamilton to Ferrari is a accomplished deal. And because the seven-time world champion did some performative doughnuts on the house straight in Abu Dhabi, the season finale gave us all a reminder of his magic.
As his now outdated boss Toto Wolff put it: “Lewis that was the drive of a world champion.” The highway to a record-breaking No 8 begins now.
