Lewis Hamilton’s journey with Mercedes ended in spectacular and emotional style at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time World Champion, who is moving to Ferrari in 2025, gave fans a final reminder of his brilliance and reflected on his incredible 12-year stint with the Silver Arrows.
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From P16 to P4: A Drive to Remember
Starting 16th on the grid after driving over a stricken bollard in Q1, Hamilton was determined not to let his final race with Mercedes fizzle out. Using a smart hard-to-medium tyre strategy, he carved his way through the field, finishing an impressive fourth. His highlight? A breathtaking final-lap overtake around the outside of Turn 9 on teammate George Russell.
Despite the early challenges, Hamilton never wavered in his determination:
“The first stint was really, really difficult. I wasn’t losing hope, but I was just like, ‘ah, it’s not going as well as I thought it would.’ But I just didn’t give up, kept pushing, ‘come on we can get there.’”
Switching to medium tyres transformed his car and his race, proving why he’s one of F1’s all-time greats.
The End of an Era
The moment that truly hit home for Hamilton came when race engineer Pete “Bono” Bonnington gave his famous instruction: “It’s Hammer Time.”
“When [Bono] said it was ‘Hammer Time’, I did notice in the moment, I was like, ‘that’s the last time I’m going to hear that.’ It really clicked for me in that moment.”
Hamilton’s post-race celebration included doughnuts on the grid and a quiet moment kneeling beside his Mercedes W15. Reflecting on his journey, he said:
“I just sat there to think about all that and just contemplate how great a journey it’s been.”
Saying Goodbye
Hamilton admitted how much he’ll miss the Mercedes family:
“I’m going to miss them – I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss them, it’s going to be a huge amount. I’ve worked with them every day for the past 12 years.”
His record-breaking partnership with Mercedes leaves an indelible mark on F1 history, with all 105 of his victories powered by their engines.
As Hamilton looks ahead to his next challenge with Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli steps into his seat at Mercedes. But for fans, Hamilton’s emotional farewell will remain a moment to cherish.
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Hamilton’s Emotional Farewell – Featured Image Courtesy of Mercedes Formula 1 team.