Lewis Hamilton capped off his illustrious tenure with Mercedes with a memorable drive at the Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi. The 39-year-old Briton, set to join Ferrari next season, arrived at Yas Marina circuit in red and received heartfelt farewells.
Hamilton, who started 16th due to a qualifying mishap, finished fourth in the race. Reflecting on his journey, he thanked his team for their unwavering support and courage. “What started as a leap of faith became a historic journey,” he remarked.
After the race, Hamilton performed celebratory “doughnut” spins, then embraced race winner Lando Norris, who clinched McLaren’s first constructors’ title in 26 years. Hamilton’s 12-year stint at Mercedes yielded six drivers’ titles, eight constructors’ championships, and 84 wins.
In his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton made a remarkable comeback, passing teammate George Russell on the last lap after a call from race engineer Peter Bonnington. “It really clicked for me in that moment,” Hamilton said of the iconic “Hammer time” call.
Team principal Toto Wolff praised Hamilton’s performance, assuring him that he will always be part of the Mercedes family. Despite a challenging season, Hamilton expressed profound gratitude for his time with the team.
As he transitions to Ferrari, Hamilton leaves behind a legacy powered by the iconic Mercedes engine, marking the end of an era in Formula One history.
