Lewis Hamilton reflected on his stint with Mercedes as the “greatest honour of his life” as he made his emotional farewell at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, marking the end of an era. After what has been a challenging season for the driver, Hamilton reflected on his incredible journey with the team that began in 2013, resulting in six world championships and 84 race wins. His final race for Mercedes was a fitting tribute to his legacy, as he showed incredible drive from 16th to 4th, a reminder of his incredible skill and resilience.
A fitting Send-Off At Yas Marina
Hamilton’s performance at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi reminded everyone of his enduring greatness. Starting from 16th, he fought his way through the pack to finish 4th – a testament to his skill and determination. In a stark contrast to a difficult season for both him and the team, who have seriously suffered from losing a kind of magic since the change in regulations in 2022, Hamilton’s final drive with Mercedes was an example of why he stands among the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
“When I stopped the car I just wanted to embrace the moment, because it’s the last time I’m going to step into a Mercedes and represent them, it’s been the greatest honour of my life,” he said.
“I mean every moment that I’ve got in the car this week, I’ve known that it’s one of the last and it’s been really hard to let go. I’m proud of every race, every pole position, every win we’ve had together, every championship, so when I knelt next to it I was just giving thanks, firstly thanking my own spirit for continuing to push, thanking everyone that powered and built that car. I’m proud of everyone.”
A Bitter-Sweet Goodbye For Hamilton
Hamilton could not forget his final Mercedes. After crossing the chequered flag, he took the time to reflect on his end. He parked his car near a special spot at the start-finish straight by the top three finishers. Kneeling by his car, Hamilton gazed at the moment, aware that this was the end of a remarkable chapter in his career. His dream of an eighth world title was denied in 2021 when his controversial finish in Abu Dhabi was overturned, but his legacy with Mercedes will forever be cemented in F1 history.
“It’s been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life, I would say, because we’ve known from the beginning that we’re leaving,” he said. “It’s like a relationship when you’ve told whoever the counterpart is that you’re leaving, but you’re living together for a whole year. Lots of ups and downs emotionally, but we finished off with a high today.”
Hamilton’s Legacy With Mercedes: A Career To Remember
Hamilton is about to leave Mercedes to join Ferrari for the next chapter of his career, but he will never forget the Mercedes chapter. His years with the team have been historic victories, record-breaking moments, and a partnership defining a decade of Formula 1 racing. Challenges from the 2022 and 2023 seasons would perhaps make it impossible for Hamilton and Mercedes to maintain the top position in the series, but he reminded everyone in Abu Dhabi why he’s an all-time great. The Mercedes era is over, but Hamilton’s impact on the team and the sport will never fade.
