Lewis Hamilton finished fourth in his last race for Mercedes. But he no longer played such a big role after crossing the finish line.
he was overcome by emotion: After the last few meters of his Formula 1 mercedes,Lewis Hamilton did a few donuts on the front finish of the Yas marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi,then parked his Silver Arrow in front of the main stand and on kneeling down in front of the racing car that gave him the world championship title in the automotive class.
After twelve years, Hamilton parted ways with Mercedes and moved to Ferrari. Therefore the last race of the season was characterized by emotions, thoughts and an intense battle on the track.
Hamilton: “The ultimate ‘Hammer time’: click minute”
With tears in his eyes, Hamilton summed up after fourth place in the F1 final: “When my race engineer said ‘Hammer time’, I knew it was the last time I would hear that. It was a click moment.” The Brit once again fought impressively through the field from 16th on the grid: “I didn’t give up and gave everything – to the team that has given me everything over the years.”
An emotional Hamilton: “I’m so grateful.this team has supported me as 2013, through the highs and the lows.” Ferrari, conversely, will be “a challenge to get used to new processes and people, but it’s an incredible team.”
Lewis Hamilton. Credit: F1 / X
Wolff on Hamilton’s change: ”Red is excellent”:
Mercedes team boss T
mercedes chief engineer Andrew Shovlin had to justify poor tactics to qualify as team boss Wolff on Saturday. On Sunday he was able to celebrate again - especially Lewis Hamilton: “He shaped the team not only with his results, but also with his values.We will miss him but wish him all the best for the future.”
he now shines in Ferrari red. “He’s the biggest natural talent in Formula 1,” ex-teammate Nico Rosberg praised on Sky as he bid farewell to Mercedes. “With talent you can of course be world champion one day, but it’s entirely different – and Michael Schumacher did it so brilliantly - to keep focus, stay motivated, stay concentrated and build your whole life about success. Lewis has never finished worse than sixth in the world Cup for 17 years. The way he did it was amazing.”
Now the seven-time Ferrari champion has another chance to make history.
Formula 1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
Result
1. lando Norris (Great britain) – McLaren 1:26:33.291 hours.
2. Carlos sainz jr. (Spain) – Ferrari +5,832 Sec.
3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari +31,928
4. lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +36,483
5.George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +37,538
6. Max Verstappen (netherlands) – Red Bull +49,847
7. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpine +1:12.560 min.
8. Nico Hülkenberg (Emmerich) – Haas +1:15.554
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Aston Martin +1:22.373
10. Oscar Piastri (Australia) – McLaren +1:23.821
Formula 1 driver position
Final position after 24 races
1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull 437 points.
2.Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren 374
3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari 356
4. Oscar Piastri (Australia) – McLaren 292
5. Carlos Sainz jr. (Spain) – Ferrari 290
6. George Russell (Great britain) – Mercedes 245
7. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes 223
8. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull 152
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Aston Martin 70
10. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpine 42
Builders Championship
1. McLaren 666 Pkt.
2.Ferrari 652
3. Red Bull 589
4. Mercedes 468
5. Aston Martin 94
6. Alpine 65
7. Haas 58
8. Racing Bulls 46
9. williams 17
10. Net Kick 4
How might Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari affect his racing style and strategy compared to his time at Mercedes?
Interview between Time.news Editor and F1 Expert Dr. Emily Richards
Editor: Good morning, Dr. Richards! It’s great to have you here today to discuss Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell to Mercedes. What a remarkable conclusion to the season.
Dr. Richards: Good morning! Thanks for having me. Yes, it was an emotional rollercoaster for fans and for Hamilton himself. his farewell at abu Dhabi was not just about the race; it was about saying goodbye to a major chapter in his career.
Editor: Absolutely! Hamilton finished fourth in that race, but his actions afterwards were what truly caught the attention of everyone. He performed donuts and then knelt in front of his car. What did that symbolize for you?
Dr. Richards: That moment was incredibly powerful. By doing donuts on the Yas Marina Circuit, he celebrated not just the race but his journey with Mercedes. Kneeling in front of his car was a moment of reflection and gratitude. It showed how much this sport and this team have meant to him throughout the years.
Editor: He certainly seemed emotional. After all these years, what does Hamilton’s departure mean for the future of Formula 1, and specifically for Mercedes?
Dr. Richards: It’s a significant change for both Hamilton and Mercedes. For Hamilton, switching to Ferrari presents a whole new set of challenges—different processes, different team dynamics. For Mercedes, losing a driver of Hamilton’s caliber means they need to adapt quickly if they want to stay competitive. The team has been built around his style and leadership over the past twelve years.
Editor: In his statement, he mentioned that hearing his engineer say “Hammer time” was a poignant moment for him. How important is that command in the context of his career?
Dr. richards: “Hammer time” has been synonymous with Hamilton’s drive to push for performance.It’s not just a cue; it symbolizes his relentless pursuit of excellence and the trust he and his team have built over time. To hear it for the last time must have struck a deep emotional chord—reflecting both achievement and the end of an era.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. He also expressed gratitude toward the team for their support through the highs and lows. How does this frame Hamilton as a team player?
Dr. Richards: Hamilton has always been vocal about his appreciation for team dynamics. A hallmark of great athletes is recognizing their team’s contributions, and he’s done that consistently. His journey has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, and that humility he expresses sets a great example for younger drivers.
Editor: Looking ahead, what should fans expect from Hamilton at Ferrari?
Dr. Richards: It’ll be interesting to see how he adapts.Ferrari has a different culture and distinct challenges compared to Mercedes.After such a long tenure with one team,it will be intriguing to see his approach—how quickly he can assimilate and if he can bring that competitive edge to a team that has been seeking its own resurgence in recent years.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Richards,for your insights! Hamilton’s journey is surely going to be one of the most talked-about stories in the upcoming season.
Dr. Richards: Thank you for having me! It’s going to be an exciting time in the world of Formula 1, and I’m looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds.