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It was an emotional day for the Mercedes team and Lewis Hamilton as they are bidding farewell to one of the greatest drivers ever raced in Formula 1 from their team. The British driver has been the face of the team for more than a decade since joining them in 2013.
With the partnership, they both won 8 constructors championships and six drivers titles. So leaving Lewis Hamilton was not very easy for the team. Lewis had a disastrous qualifying session in Abu Dhabi, but the opening lap of the main race allowed them to push for the podiums.
ALSO WATCH: Opening lap disaster in Abu Dhabi for McLaren's Oscar Piastri as Verstappen dive bombs
Emotional farewell to Mercedes
LEWIS HAMILTON DOES HIS FINAL DONUTS AS A MERCEDES DRIVER ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ pic.twitter.com/T87ZhTc2DH
โ deni (@fiagirly) December 8, 2024
Both Mercedes drivers were quick and finished P4 and P5 in the race. Lewis Hamilton was given a special place on the track with the race winners to celebrate his farewell moments. After coming to the track, he did 'Donuts' to celebrate his legacy with the team and took some time getting out of the car.
๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ#F1#AbuDhabiGP ๐ฆ๐ช pic.twitter.com/iTzcCh3IYj
โ Fรณrmula Directa (@FormulaDirecta) December 8, 2024
Later he waved at the fans and sat beside his Mercedes car for one last time, probably crying. He then shook hands with the podium winners and went to the garage to see his team. On his way, many Ferrari mechanics congratulated Lewis as they will be working with the 7-time world champion starting from next year.
The champion left speechless
Sir Lewis Hamilton's post race radio to his team. One last radio with Bono and Toto โค๏ธ#F1#Formula1#Sportsinfoxtreme#LewisHamilton#Bono#Toto#Mercedes#Hamilton#AbuDhabiGP#AbuDhabipic.twitter.com/hMXiRqKf9Z
โ SportsInfo Xtreme (@Sportsinfo22073) December 8, 2024
The Qualifying took all the luck out of him but the main race gave everything to celebrate his final race with the Mercedes team. After the race, the Mercedes team on the radio said that was the end of the era and asked Lewis to say something. Hamilton who was already emotional took some long seconds and said “Toto that was fun, My pleasure man. We dreamed alone and together we believed. Thank you for supporting me, we did everything together and from the bottom of my heart, I say Thank you to everyone.”
ALSO WATCH: Mercedes driver George Russell times travels and gets Lewis's signature back
Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff also said some of the greatest words over the radio that he never said in his life. He said, “We love you too and you are always part of the family and if we can't win you should win.” That was quite an emotional roller coaster for all of us fans from the Mercedes garage.
But this is not the end, as we will see Hamilton next year wearing a different colour which is bright like Red and will fight for his lost Eighth world championship from there. Don't forget McLaren for the first time in 26 years has won their constructors championship with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Ferrari were the runners and next year they will have the strongest pair on the grid to fight for the title. Next year's battle will be very huge and Max Verstappen should brace himself for more pressure from the rest of the grid next season.