Lewis Hamilton Ends Mercedes Period With Cheers, Tears And A Rousing Drive

Lewis Hamilton ended his wonderful 12-year spell at Mercedes with cheers and tears on Sunday after ending a rousing fourth from beginning sixteenth within the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, who will flip 40 earlier than he races with Ferrari subsequent season, stirred feelings along with his driving and his phrases after a basic restoration drive that noticed him cross team-mate George Russell on the ultimate lap.  “When he (race engineer Pete Bonnington) said ‘hammer time’ I did notice, in the moment, that it was the last time I’m going to hear that,” stated an emotional Hamilton afterwards. “It really clicked for me in that moment. “It was a very, actually exhausting race naturally the place I used to be, I did not get as nice a begin as this one right here, my team-mate subsequent season (pointing to close by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc) and the primary stint was actually, actually tough.

“I wasn’t losing hope, but it just wasn’t going as well as I thought it would. 

“I did not hand over, I saved pushing and pondering ‘come on, we are able to get there’ and switched on to the completely different tyres and the automotive got here alive. I needed to complete on as a lot as a excessive and provides each ounce of me to the group as they’ve given to me all these years.”

Before spinning ‘donuts’ in his car to the cheers of a chanting crowd and posing for photographs with individual team members, Hamilton had spoken eloquently of his feelings and his love for the ‘silver arrows’ team in radio exchanges. 

“That was the drive of a world champion,” said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff. 

“The drive of a world champion. Amazing!”

Bonnington said: “Stellar drive in the present day bud, it has been a pleasure all the way in which.”

Hamilton replied: “The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone, however collectively we believed and as a group we achieved issues, thanks for all of the braveness, the dedication and the fervour for seeing me and supporting me. 

“What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. We did everything together and I’m so grateful to everyone back at the factory from the bottom of my heart. All the best.”

Bonnington added: “It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so grateful to have been a part of this chapter of your life and best of luck for the next one.”

In a remaining remark, group boss Toto Wolff stated: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of the family. And if we can’t win, you should win.”

In 12 seasons, Hamilton began 246 races with Mercedes, a document for a driver with a single group. He gained 84, secured 13 different podium finishes and claimed 78 pole positions and 6 of his seven drivers’ world championships.

In a remaining social media submit, he wrote: “It’s been real. I love you all.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)