Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain prepares previous to the beginning of the dash race on the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photograph/Pool/ Altaf Qadri)
LUSAIL, Qatar— Lewis Hamilton is trying again on an “superb journey” and probably the most profitable partnership in Method 1 historical past as he prepares to bid farewell to Mercedes this week and be part of Ferrari.
The transfer provides a brand new begin for the 39-year-old Hamilton, who’s had a tough finish to his final Mercedes season. Ferrari’s first activity subsequent 12 months could be to get him again on type.
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“I don’t suppose we’re going to finish up on a excessive,” Hamilton mentioned Sunday after ending twelfth in Qatar in one other robust race which noticed him get penalties, a puncture, and even ask Mercedes for permission to retire the automotive. Two days earlier, he mentioned he was “positively not quick any extra” after struggling once more in qualifying.
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton ends an period as McLaren, Ferrari combat for title
Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday will carry down the curtain on a 12-year stick with the group. He received six of his seven world titles with Mercedes, probably the most by any F1 driver with a single group.
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As an all-time nice and the game’s solely Black driver, Hamilton’s affect extends far past the F1 grid.
Hamilton shook up F1 with the shock announcement in February that he would be part of Ferrari in 2025 — a call he even saved secret from his mother and father — and the prospect of leaving Mercedes has overshadowed this season.
Method One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail Worldwide Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – December 1, 2024 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton forward of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
“I’ve had all 12 months to consider it, so there’s been these highs and lows via the 12 months. I can’t predict how I’m going to really feel subsequent Sunday after the race, or the times to observe, or at Christmas time,” Hamilton mentioned final week.
Hamilton mentioned he would miss the “household” environment at Mercedes and can depart with heat reminiscences, together with of Niki Lauda, the previous F1 champion who performed a key function in bringing him to the group and who died in 2019.
“There’s many, many nice moments. Moments with Niki, superb conversations, arguments,” Hamilton mentioned. “It’s been a tremendous journey collectively, one which I’ve genuinely liked.”
The final time Hamilton switched groups, he discovered it exhausting to avoid his outdated employer. Hamilton recalled the incident in 2013 when he mistakenly drove into McLaren’s pit on the Malaysian Grand Prix, in his second race after leaving for Mercedes.
“I keep in mind after I joined this group it was unusual driving previous my outdated group within the pit lane, to the purpose that I ended at theirs at one level,” he mentioned.
READ: F1: George Russell, Lewis Hamilton give Mercedes 1-2 end in Las Vegas
After an emotional victory at his residence British Grand Prix in July ended a 945-day look forward to a win, Hamilton took one other win on the Belgian Grand Prix when his teammate George Russell completed first however was disqualified. Since then, although, Hamilton has positioned behind Russell in 10 of 12 races, together with sprints.
Qualifying has been Hamilton’s greatest drawback, forcing him to attempt to make up locations on race day.
“Whenever you’re at all times again the place I’m (on the grid), it makes it very exhausting, nearly inconceivable, to be competing for wins,” he mentioned final week.
Hamilton is lacking one potential likelihood to drive the Ferrari this 12 months within the testing session after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He mentioned it’s not potential below his contract with Mercedes however he didn’t wish to begin his Ferrari profession that means, anyway.
It’s seemingly Hamilton will get take the wheel behind closed doorways at Ferrari’s famed Fiorano take a look at observe early subsequent 12 months.
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“I do know (Ferrari group principal) Fred (Vasseur) wished it to occur. For me, I used to be in two minds. Driving the crimson automotive for the primary time in Abu Dhabi doesn’t excite me. In an ideal world you’d get to drive and never be seen and do the primary rollout subsequent 12 months,” he mentioned. “Am I lacking out on one thing? For positive.”