Lewis Hamilton called his 11-year-long spell at Mercedes the “greatest honour of my life” upon completing his final race for the team at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton put on a stunning display at the Yas Marina Circuit, bowing out with Mercedes with a 16th to fourth effort.
The seven-time world champion signed off with doughnuts on the start/finish straight and bowed down beside his Mercedes W15 post-race.
The world feed then saw Hamilton, wrought with emotion walk away from his Mercedes car for the final time.
Asked what was going through his mind in those moments, Hamilton told select media including Motorsport Week “I think just those moments, 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.
“So I think when I stopped the car I just wanted to embrace the moment, because it’s the last time I’m going to step into Mercedes and represent them, it’s been the greatest honour of my life.
“[They’ve] powered every race, every pole position, every win we’ve had together, every championship, so I think when I knelt next to it I think it was just giving thanks, to firstly thanking my own spirit for continuing to push, thanking everyone that powered and built that car, I’m proud of everyone.”
2024 has been a ‘really turbulent year’ with Mercedes, says Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton broke the news to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, the team and the wider world that he’d be joining Ferarri next year before the 2024 season even began.
A season of highs and lows ensued with Hamilton returning to winning ways at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, but also threatening to retire early amid a dismal Qatar Grand Prix last time out.
His Q1 exit in qualifying in Abu Dhabi could have caused the Mercedes chapter to close on a bum note, but an inspired Hamiltons signed off with the team with a flourish.
Asked if that’s given him confidence ahead of his move to Ferrari, Hamilton said: “It’s not that I need to have confidence, I’ve always had the confidence, but definitely really nice to finish with a strong hard battle.
“No mistakes, solid drive, it’s been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life, I would say, because we’ve known it from the beginning that we’re leaving, and 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.”
READ MORE – Lewis Hamilton bids emotional farewell to Mercedes in final radio message
