Lewis Hamilton was the main protagonist of the drivers’ press conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton took part in the press conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will be his last race driving for Mercedes. The questions directed at the seven-time world champion naturally also touched on his move to Ferrari, which will be official starting January 1, 2025.
Hamilton made these statements about his farewell to Mercedes: “I stay calm, it’s my last Grand Prix with Mercedes. I’m happy, I want to give my all. It’s hard to describe the emotions, but I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved together. The best memories? The smiles and the wins, like the first one. I remember an engineer who was crying: unforgettable moments. I’m grateful to everyone, both on track and in the factory, for supporting me from day one. How does this farewell compare to my departure from McLaren? I don’t have many memories, except for meeting Lauda. But this time is different, more intense: being part of Mercedes for 12 years makes everything more special.”
Lewis then added: “It hasn’t been easy for many people to accept my decision, and it’s been an emotionally challenging year. Maybe I haven’t always managed it the best way, but despite being one of the toughest years, I’ll take with me only the positive memories. The bond with the people, the moments shared, both good and bad, have made this journey unique. The mechanics, in particular, are the unsung heroes of our sport: they work tirelessly, building relationships that push the team toward success. You don’t always reach perfection, but the synergy that’s created is extraordinary.”
On his Ferrari adventure, he said: “Ferrari is not something I’m thinking about right now, I just want to finish in the best way possible with Mercedes. I definitely feel great emotion. Then, undoubtedly, joining Ferrari rekindles my motivation. It’s every driver’s dream. However, it takes time to integrate into a team. I’ll adopt the same mindset I had when I arrived at Mercedes. The fight against racism? I’m really proud of the work we’ve done at Mercedes. Ours is a truly inclusive and diverse team.” .