Hamilton Reflects on Emotional Final F1 Start with Mercedes

Hamilton feels calm yet excited for his final weekend with Mercedes, describing it as more emotional than his McLaren departure.

A few hours before the first free practices, are the emotions he admitted to struggling with at times this year under control, allowing him to finish on a high note?

“Pretty calm at the moment. I feel positive and excited to give everything this weekend.”

“Each moment, like throughout the year, it’s obviously the last time I’ll race at this or that place with the team, and I think today, even from the briefings we’ve had, you sit there and realize these are the last moments with the team, which is…”

“It’s hard to describe the feeling. It’s not the best, of course, but I think I’m mainly very proud of what we’ve accomplished. And I’m so proud of this team.”

When reflecting on his 12 years with Mercedes and 246 races, what stands out as his most memorable moment?

“I think it’s the smiles, when we had success, those are the moments.”

“I remember one engineer in particular, for example, I remember our first win in Australia in 2014, I believe it was in Australia, and I just remember him crying when we were on the podium. Those are the moments I take with me.”

“It’s the emotions we felt at Silverstone this year. All the good times. Naturally, you mainly remember the good moments. And I think it’s just the… I’m just incredibly proud, but also so grateful to every individual, both here at the track and at the factory, who’s worked tirelessly and supported me all these years since day one.”

How similar or different is this moment compared to when he left McLaren at the end of 2012?

“To be honest, I don’t really remember… Obviously, I remember meeting Niki (Lauda). And I remember making that decision. But I don’t really recall the final days, to be completely honest.”

“I’m not really sure. I have very vague memories, as you know. It was certainly not as painful and difficult as this year in terms of emotions. And I think, since it was a decision at the end of the year, it was much quicker, and there wasn’t enough time for anyone, I think, within the team to really get used to it.”

“Yes, this departure is much more emotional because I’ve been with the team for so long and we’ve been through so much together.”