‘Greatest honour of my life’: Lewis Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton referred to his experience with Mercedes as the biggest honor of his life after wrapping up his time with the team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Following an impressive performance at the Yas Marina circuit, Hamilton expressed that, despite facing challenges this year, it felt great to end on a positive note.

Hamilton made an impressive leap from 16th to 4th place in Abu Dhabi, showcasing yet another remarkable display that complements his extraordinary success with Mercedes since joining the team in 2013. Over the past 12 seasons, he has secured six championships and achieved 84 victories. In his final race before moving to Ferrari next year, he took a moment to reflect at the end of the event when he was given a special spot on the start-finish line, alongside the top three drivers, where he knelt next to his car.

"When I parked the car, I wanted to take a moment to soak it all in, knowing it would be the final time I'd get into a Mercedes and represent the brand. It's truly been one of the greatest honors of my life," he shared.

This week, every time I've been in the car, I've felt like it might be one of the last times, and that's been tough to accept. I take great pride in all the races, pole positions, and victories we've achieved together, along with every championship title. So, when I took a moment to kneel beside the car, I was expressing my gratitude—first to my own determination for keeping me going, and then to everyone who helped create and support that vehicle. I'm truly proud of all of them.

After being denied an eighth championship due to the contentious conclusion of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mercedes and Hamilton have faced challenges since the rule changes in 2022. The team has struggled to create a car that is consistently fast and well-balanced. Although the car has shown some improvement this year, it has still been unpredictable. Additionally, Hamilton and the team had to cope with the news of his impending departure, which he revealed before the season started, making the situation even more challenging.

"It’s been quite a challenging year, perhaps the longest I've ever experienced. From the start, we were aware that we were moving on," he explained. "It’s similar to being in a relationship where you’ve informed the other person that you’re going to leave, yet you still share a space for an entire year. There have been many emotional fluctuations, but we ended on a positive note today."

Lando Norris emerged victorious at the Yas Marina circuit, clinching McLaren's first constructors' championship in 26 years with a dominant performance from start to finish. He surpassed both Ferrari drivers to secure the title, enduring significant pressure, especially after his teammate, Oscar Piastri, was eliminated from the race on the first lap by Max Verstappen. It was an accomplishment he could rightfully celebrate.

"This was a truly remarkable day for everyone involved," he shared. "We had the chance to claim victory today, and I know there were times when some might have feared we wouldn't make it. Looking at the broader achievement of winning a championship for the first time in 26 years, it's hard to accept that McLaren has gone so long without a title. Being part of this moment, alongside Oscar, is something we’re exceptionally proud of. Bringing this success to the team has brought the biggest smiles to all our faces."