Lewis Hamilton’s Emotional Farewell: Final Season with Mercedes Before Ferrari Move

Lewis Hamilton has begun his final Formula 1 season with Mercedes, a journey filled with emotion and nostalgia. With each passing Grand Prix, he feels the weight of this sentimental year, marking the end of an era with the team that brought him immense success.

Key Takeaways:

• Lewis Hamilton, in his final year with Mercedes, faces a season laden with emotions, acknowledging that every week and every Grand Prix will be a poignant experience for him. Despite knowing about his impending departure, he is focused on delivering exceptional performances for Mercedes in the current season.
• The revelation of Hamilton’s shift to Ferrari in 2025 took the F1 community by surprise. This decision comes after signing a multi-year contract with Ferrari, breaking the anticipated narrative of Hamilton potentially retiring with Mercedes, his long-time team.
• Hamilton’s farewell year with Mercedes is not only an emotional journey but also a series of ‘lasts’ for him with the team. These moments include his final seat fit and the last winter test, all the while maintaining his dedication to achieving the best possible results in his concluding season with Mercedes.

In a significant twist to his storied Formula 1 career, Lewis Hamilton’s announcement last month of leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 sent ripples through the racing world. This decision, marking a departure from Mercedes where he achieved six championship titles in eleven years, was unexpected, as many thought he would retire with the Brackley-based team.

Despite being aware of his move before the current season commenced, Hamilton’s approach to racing remains unchanged. His focus is firmly on the present, delivering his best for Mercedes. In a conversation with Formula1.com, Hamilton reflected on his emotional journey:

“Nothing really changes. I was back at the factory on Monday – it’s full attack, everyone’s all hands on deck. I’ve been with this team such a long time, there’s so much love within the team, and I still and always will love this team. Everyone was incredibly understanding within the team, hugely supportive, and everyone knows that I’m here to deliver for them this year. That’s the focus, so it’s the same as any other year. It is emotional, and every week will be emotional, because the seat fit is your last seat fit with the team and you remember the first one. The winter test is the last winter test that I will do with the team, and so there’s going to be a lot of emotional experiences through the year, but we’ll do it together.”

The 2024 season thus stands as a nostalgic and emotionally charged farewell tour for Hamilton with Mercedes. His focus remains on achieving success, yet each race, each test, and each moment with the team is imbued with a sense of finality and sentimental significance. As Hamilton steers towards a new chapter with Ferrari, his last season with Mercedes promises to be a memorable and emotionally charged spectacle for fans worldwide.