Lewis Hamilton has marked the end of an era for Mercedes by securing a well-deserved P4 finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his final appearance for the team. After dropping out in Q1 due to traffic and a bollard incident, Hamilton made a stunning comeback, using an alternative strategy to surge from 16th on the grid to the top four spot.
The victory was not just a testament to Hamilton’s driving skills but also an emotional moment for him as he bid farewell to Mercedes, a team that has powered his success for 246 appearances. In a heart-warming post-race interview, Hamilton revealed that a message from engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington – “it’s Hammer Time” – had struck home the fact that this was his final appearance for Mercedes.
Hamilton expressed his gratitude to the team, acknowledging that he would miss them dearly after 12 years of working together. The news comes as Hamilton prepares to make a switch to Ferrari in 2025, partnering Charles Leclerc for what promises to be an exciting new chapter in his F1 career.
Source: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/thats-the-last-time-im-going-to-hear-that-hamilton-shares-emotional-moment.3HNFaFUD4L4Omzghs7Ip7z