This weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not only marks the end of the 2024 F1 season, but also some final chapters in the sport. Drivers such as Kevin Magnussen, Guanyu Chou and Valtteri Bottas are leaving their full-time spots on the grid, while Carlos Sainz Jr.'s time at Ferrari is drawing to a close. Esteban Ocon will leave Alpine for Haas, while Nico Hulkenberg will leave Haas for Sauber in 2025.
And above all, there is a big departure. That is Lewis Hamilton's shocking transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari for next season.
It said the move would end the most productive partnership in F1 history between team and driver. FIA press conference On Thursday, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton admitted it had been a difficult year since his initial announcement in February.
“So, my first encounter with Toto was [Wolff] Of course, the beginning of the year was awkward. So it was awkward from the beginning until the next day when I went to team paintball,” Hamilton began. “And they just realized. I mean, there were a lot of moments throughout the year… Yeah, I got shot a lot by people, yeah, I had a lot of bruises. Yeah, that day. People attacked me!
“At the end of the day, I expected it to be difficult, but I think I vastly underestimated how difficult it would be. And it created tension in the relationship from very early on, and people It took me a while to get over that. And just for myself, this year has been a very emotional year for me,” Hamilton added. “And I don't think I was in the best shape to handle and deal with those emotions.
“And this year, I think there's a lot of people here throughout my career, so I'm sure some of you have seen the worst and the best of me, and I'm not going to apologize.” Either way, I'm only human and I don't always get things right, so I can definitely say that this year has been the worst in terms of how I've been treated. I will try my best to improve. ”
Hamilton shifted gears a bit during his remarks.
“But I hope that the good and the good far outweighs the negative and how I've dealt with it and how I've acted. Like I said, I just I just remember the fun times. We had an incredible relationship. We got through it. When you go through a season with so many people, it's not just the race weekends where you go through the peaks and valleys together, but also in their personal lives: marriages, divorces, family losses, cancer, everything. Through the experience. You go through these journeys with these people,” said the legendary driver. “So it's a really beautiful journey that you go on together. It's been so long and the emotions are so deep.”
Asked how he felt going into his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton said he felt “calm” and was looking forward to finishing on a positive note.
“Right now I'm pretty calm. I'm just going to give it my all this weekend and I'm feeling positive and I'm excited. Throughout the year, every moment, you know, every race, I'm racing. It is clear that you are standing in that particular spot with your team. It's definitely the last, and I'm already thinking from the briefing today, it's like sitting there and realizing that this is my last moment with the team…I can describe that feeling. It’s hard to do,” Hamilton added. “Obviously, it's not the best, but I think mainly I'm really proud of what we accomplished. And I have a lot of pride in this team.”
When asked about his unforgettable memories from his time at Mercedes, Hamilton had an interesting answer.
smile.
“I think it's the smile you get when you succeed. I think that's the moment,” Hamilton said. “I remember, for example, my first win in Australia in 2014, just like I remember one particular engineer, I think it was in Australia, and he was in tears when he got on the podium. That's all I remember. That's the feeling we had at Silverstone this year. Of course I remember most of the good things.
“And it's just…I'm incredibly proud, but also very grateful to all the people who are working tirelessly, not only here at the track, but back at the factory.” They have supported me for many years since day one. ”
Hamilton's final race with Mercedes begins in earnest tomorrow with two practice sessions ahead of the final race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
