Lewis Hamilton brought an end to his 12-year, 246-race partnership with Mercedes on Sunday in an emotional and memorable farewell. The British driver, who won the race from 16th place on the grid, gave a heartfelt tribute to his team, engineers, and mechanics, thanking them for their tireless support over the years.
Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era, as he leaves behind six drivers’ world championships and 84 wins with the team. Despite struggling with the tricky Mercedes car throughout the year, Hamilton showed his characteristic fighting spirit and determination to finish on a high note.
The victory was made possible by a well-executed plan, which included running the alternate tire strategy and biding time before making a final charge to the line. Hamilton’s engineer, Pete Bonnington, played a crucial role in the team’s success, and their communication was filled with emotion as they celebrated the win together.
The post-race celebrations were also filled with tributes, including a surprise team event on Thursday night that looked back on Hamilton’s time at Brackley and paid tribute to all their success. The Mercedes board members presented Hamilton with a heartfelt message, assuring him that he would always be part of their story and family.
As Hamilton prepares to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari, he reflected on the journey that had brought him to this point. “What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books,” he said. The legacy of his time at Mercedes will undoubtedly live on, and fans around the world will miss seeing Hamilton in the iconic silver livery.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5978189/2024/12/08/lewis-hamilton-final-mercedes-race-f1-abu-dhabi