Lewis Hamilton bids farewell this weekend to Mercedes, the crew that carried him to 6 world titles, as his future outfit Ferrari search to win a primary constructors’ crown in 16 years.
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Sunday’s floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the tip of an period because the Briton concludes a outstanding 12-year spell with the Silver Arrows and a 26-year affiliation with the Mercedes model.
The race will begin at 15:00 (SA time).
Rediscover his mojo
Hamilton will then transfer on to Ferrari, the place Italy hopes he can rediscover the mojo that made him the game’s most profitable driver with seven titles and 105 wins earlier than hitting a trough of frustration within the present ‘floor impact’ period.
This has seen Pink Bull return to dominate with Max Verstappen successful 4 consecutive drivers’ titles, even when this season noticed them decline, a fall that sees McLaren hanging on to a 21-point lead on Ferrari coming into the season-ending race.
McLaren – Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 dwelling – haven’t received the groups’ title since 1998 whereas Ferrari’s final success got here in 2008, since when Mercedes and Pink Bull have dominated.
Regardless of his travails in current weeks, notably in Brazil and Qatar, Hamilton will depart Mercedes feeling conflicting feelings.
“It’s a celebration of the whole lot we now have achieved,” mentioned crew boss Toto Wolff of the finale on the Yas Marina Circuit.
“We’ll honour an unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi after which go to Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart and each Brixworth and Brackley… Lewis will all the time be a part of our household.”
He added that earlier than Hamilton’s remaining visits to the outfit’s varied centres, the “complete crew needs so as to add yet one more spotlight to the reel.
“Nothing goes to remove 12 unimaginable years. That’s the reminiscence, not a season of races that had been significantly unhealthy.”
‘Excellent weekend’
Ferrari provided Hamilton a contract till 2026, which Mercedes weren’t ready to do, giving him a continued platform not solely to bid for an unprecedented eighth title, but additionally to advertise variety and inclusion.
For Hamilton, a Ferrari title success on Sunday may very well be an ideal prelude to his transfer and assist erase his current tantrums and feedback about ending races and the season early.
Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur declared he isn’t in any respect frightened by Hamilton claiming he has misplaced his pace.
“Take a look on the 50 laps he did in Vegas. Beginning P10, ending on the gearbox of Russell. No, I’m not frightened.”
Lewis Hamilton, who shall be 40 in January, is set to “rise once more” and make his mark.
“I’m nonetheless standing,” he mentioned. “It’s not the way you fall, it’s the way you get again up.”
Carlos Sainz, whose seat he’s set to take, will even be in search of a contented exit as he and Charles Leclerc bid to overturn McLaren’s lead.
“Twenty-one factors requires an ideal weekend from Ferrari and a nasty weekend from McLaren,” mentioned Sainz.
“We’re going to present it our greatest shot. I believe if we nail an excellent weekend, we might nonetheless make it occur. Nothing to lose.”
On type, at a circuit more likely to favour them, McLaren begin as favourites.
However after successful in Qatar, Verstappen will search a tenth win this 12 months along with his typical vim as Pink Bull say goodbye to sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who’s transferring to Sauber/Audi.
The Dutchman Verstappen might also carry motivation from his Qatar fallout with Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
Verstappen’s Pink Bull team-mate Sergio Perez could also be in his final race with the crew after a hapless run whereas Alpine welcome Jack Doohan for his debut as substitute for Esteban Ocon.
How will Lewis Hamilton do in his remaining race for Mercedes in Adu Dhabi?
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