Featured Image Credit: Mercedes - Sky Sports
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Formula 1
Jack Kenmare
Lewis Hamilton delivered an emotional final message to his team after taking part in his final race for Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After starting 16th at the season-ending race, Hamilton rolled back the years on Sunday to finish his Mercedes career with an impressive comeback, clinching fourth place.
Moments later, an emotional conversation between the eight-time world champion, Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff and senior race engineer Peter 'Bono' Bonnington took place.
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"Nice work, Lewis. That's a P4, mate," said a tearful Bonnington. "And that's the end of an era. I've got to say, mate, it's been epic working with you."
Wolff, who issued an apology to Hamilton over Mercedes' handling of Q1 ahead of Sunday's race, was full or praise for the Brit. "Lewis, that was the drive of a world champion," he said. "That's the drive of a world champion. Amazing."
Hamilton, cleary emotional himself, responded: "Thanks, Toto... that was fun."
Bonnington added: "Stellar job today. It's been a pleasure all the way. In the tough times..."
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Hamilton replied: "The pleasure's been mine. We dreamed alone. But together we believed. And as a team, we achieved things that only... thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion for seeing me and supporting me.
"What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. So, we did everything together and I'm so, so grateful to everyone. From the bottom of my heart, all the best."
Bonnington took to the radio again. "Thank you, Lewis. Yeah, it's been an amazing journey," he added. "I'm so grateful to be part of this chapter of your life and best luck for the next one,"
Wolff then ended by saying: "We love you too and you're always going to be part of that family. And if we can't win, you should win."
From the 2025 season onwards, Hamilton will be racing for Italian team Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc.
When asked what had changed between signing for Mercedes last summer and opting to join Ferrari, he explained: “In the summer we signed, and obviously I, at that time, saw my future with Mercedes. But an opportunity came up in the new year and I decided to take it.
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“I feel like… it was obviously the hardest decision that I think I’ve ever had to make. Obviously I’ve been with Mercedes for, I think it’s like 26 years they’ve supported me, and we’ve had an absolutely incredible journey together.
"We’ve created history within the sport, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved but I think ultimately, I’m writing my story and I felt like it was time to start a new chapter.”