Under the lights of Yas Marina Circuit, Lewis Hamilton prepares to take his final bow with Mercedes this weekend, marking the end of an era that has defined Formula One history.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
Over 12 remarkable years, Hamilton has rewritten the record books with 245 grands prix appearances, 78 pole positions, and an extraordinary 84 victories, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The seven-time world champion’s impending move to Ferrari for the 2025 season has been the talk of the paddock all year. While Hamilton’s current campaign with Mercedes has been fraught with challenges, the Briton’s singular win at his home race in Silverstone served as a shining reminder of his unparalleled skill and resilience.
Mercedes’ struggles with an inconsistent car in 2024 were evident, with its best performances often tied to cooler weather conditions. Despite this, Hamilton showcased his tenacity. His Silverstone triumph was a high point, followed by a second-place finish at Spa-Francorchamps, only for team-mate George Russell to be disqualified, elevating Hamilton further in the standings.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix proved another highlight for the team, with Mercedes clinching a one-two finish under the neon-lit skies. However, last weekend’s outing in Qatar underlined the unpredictability of the season, as Hamilton battled poor qualifying form and a puncture to finish a disappointing 12th in the grand prix.
As Hamilton prepares to don Ferrari red, the challenge of competing against Charles Leclerc looms large. Leclerc, entering his seventh season with the Scuderia, has built a reputation as one of the grid’s most formidable qualifiers. For Hamilton, the upcoming rivalry will echo his battles with Russell this year, where his strength over race distances often provided his best chance to shine.
Ferrari’s strong form in the latter half of 2024 positions the team as a major contender in the 2025 season, just ahead of the seismic regulatory changes set for 2026. This adds extra weight to Hamilton’s mission: to lead Ferrari to glory in what could be the final chapters of his illustrious career.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
Hamilton’s farewell to Mercedes is steeped in nostalgia and reflection. Speaking ahead of last weekend’s Qatar race, Hamilton admitted to feeling the emotional toll of leaving the team that has been his professional home for over a decade.
“I sat down with Bono [Peter Bonnington, his race engineer] and I’m like, ‘Jeez, this is our last two races together. Can you believe it?’” Hamilton shared. “There’s going to be so many of those moments where it’ll be like, ‘Shoot, it’s nearly it.’ It’s been emotional through the whole year.”
Despite the sentimentality, Hamilton remains focused on closing this chapter on a high note, determined to deliver for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi before embarking on his next adventure.
As the Yas Marina Circuit reverberates with the roar of Formula One engines this weekend, Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes marks not just the end of a partnership but the conclusion of one of the most dominant eras in the sport’s history. While the future beckons with fresh challenges at Ferrari, Hamilton’s legacy with the Silver Arrows will endure, etched in the annals of motorsport.
For fans, this weekend offers a bittersweet celebration of a driver whose passion, talent, and charisma have transcended the track—a fitting farewell to a modern legend.
