Lewis Hamilton says he has ‘no extra tears’ left after closing his 12-year Mercedes Components 1 chapter at an emotional Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton introduced as early as February that he would transfer to Ferrari in 2025, guaranteeing his Mercedes farewell could be drawn out over your entire marketing campaign, which suffered highs and lows as Mercedes struggled to seek out constant efficiency with its W15.
The staff paid tribute to the motive force that delivered six championships at 2024’s season finale at Yas Marina, which seemed set to finish on a whimper when a free bollard derailed Hamilton’s qualifying on Saturday.
However the seven-time world champion fought again on an alternate technique to climb all the way in which from sixteenth to fourth, passing team-mate George Russell on the ultimate lap.
Hamilton’s remaining weekend for the Silver Arrows included a shock gathering on Thursday night in its paddock membership suite the place the staff premiered a video montage to thank its talismanic driver.
“We’ve positively had our ups and downs. There have been sure emotions that I’ve chosen to go a sure approach and it’s not been simple for folks to just accept and recover from,” he stated.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, performs donuts on the finish of the race
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
“However little by little, via the yr what has come via is actual love on the finish of the day. I’ve acquired board members from Mercedes who’ve stood by and supported me all of those years who have been upset initially however they stated ‘you’ll all the time be part of the household’.
“On Thursday, the staff shocked me upstairs and that was super-emotional. I’ve not acquired any extra tears, every part got here out then.
“It’s been a turbulent yr – in all probability the longest yr of my life as a result of we’ve recognized from the start that we have been leaving and it’s like a relationship while you’ve instructed whoever the counterpart is that you just’re leaving, however you’re residing collectively for a complete yr.
“Plenty of ups and downs emotionally however we completed off on a excessive right this moment; with a robust, laborious battle, no errors and a strong drive.”
After celebratory donuts on the grid, Hamilton seemed sunk in thought as he kneeled by his W15. When requested what went via his thoughts, he stated: “Simply these moments. Each second that I’ve acquired into the automotive this week I’ve recognized that it’s one of many final and it’s been actually clear and actually laborious to let go.
“Once I stopped the automotive, I needed to embrace the second as a result of it’s the final time I’m ever going to step right into a Mercedes and symbolize them. It’s been the best honour of my life.”
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Components 1
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these matters
Subscribe to information alerts
