December 06, (THEWILL) – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is experiencing a deeply emotional moment as he approaches his final race weekend with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi.
The British driver, who will join Ferrari in 2025, demonstrated remarkable composure during Friday’s practice session, qualifying fifth and positioning himself competitively for Sunday’s grand prix.
Hamilton candidly described the day as “very surreal”, revealing his ongoing efforts to maintain emotional control throughout this significant transition.
The 39-year-old driver has spent 12 remarkable years with Mercedes, winning six of his seven world championships with the prestigious German team, making this weekend particularly poignant for both Hamilton and the Mercedes organisation.
During the practice session, Hamilton focused intensely on his performance, acknowledging the speed of competitors like McLaren and Ferrari.
He emphasised his commitment to delivering a strong final performance for Mercedes, stating that he is channelling his energy into the team and the car in preparation for the race.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents the culmination of Hamilton’s extraordinary journey with Mercedes, a partnership that has defined modern Formula One racing.
His ability to remain competitive and professional during this emotional period underscores his status as one of the sport’s most respected and accomplished drivers.
Hamilton’s qualification position, splitting the Ferrari drivers, suggests he remains determined to conclude his Mercedes chapter with a competitive performance.
His reflections on the day highlighted his deep appreciation for the team, describing the experience with his engineers and colleagues as “so special” and expressing significant love for the organisation.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
