Lewis Hamilton believes that the good times will soon return to Mercedes despite his imminent departure. After 12 years with the Silver Arrows, the seven-time world champion will now join Ferrari on a lucrative two-year deal, ending one of the most iconic partnerships in motorsport.
Hamilton has this week been bidding and emotional farewell to staff members, in what was his last ever season debrief with Toto Wolff and co.
His final three years with the team have proved difficult, with the icon finishing seventh in the drivers’ standings in 2024, a place behind British team-mate George Russell.
The pair could only take Mercedes to a distant fourth place in the Constructors’ race, often struggling to keep pace with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari. But Hamilton told his long-time colleagues that the work ethic go the group would ensure glory again.
“You guys are going to have so much more success moving forward because this is an incredible group of people, there’s so much talent, so much passion here,” he said. “And anyone would be lucky to be working with you.”
Hamilton’s will next season compete against Russell and his teenage replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. However, he still insisted he would be looking out for the Mercedes results with a vested interest.
“I’m going to always have to be looking on the screens and seeing where you guys are,” he added. “I’m always going to be wishing you the absolute best. I believe in you. I’ll continue to believe in you. And when you do have that success I’ll be so proud of you.”
During his emotional message at Brackley, Hamilton also paid tribute to the team for helping define his illustrious career. “You know, Mercedes has changed my life, growing up in Stevenage, dreaming of one day being in Formula 1 and being the world champion,” continued the 39-year-old.
“And definitely back then, it was me and my two parents. I didn’t know that there would be a huge amount of people that I get to work with, who would be the ones to lift me up and take me on that journey, and to winning something like that. »
Hamilton also issued a “huge thank you” to every team member, and said he would be taking the “greatest memories” away with him. And he vowed to revisit them all when he does eventually retire.
Overall, 84 of Hamilton’s unprecedented 105 Grand Prix victories have come since he left McLaren for Mercedes. Six of his seven world titles have come under Wolff and co, also playing his part in eight Constructors’ title wins.
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