James Allison, technical director of Mercedes F1, shared the moment that will remain for him the most memorable of the collaboration between Lewis Hamilton and the German team. After 12 successful years, Hamilton left Mercedes at the end of last season to join Ferrari. During his time at Mercedes, the Briton won six of his seven world titles and 84 of his 105 Grand Prix victories.
However, Allison's favorite memory is not linked to a victory or a title, but to an act of fair play. During the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, in the middle of a championship battle against Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Hamilton intentionally let his teammate Valtteri Bottas overtake him on the last lap. After swapping positions under instruction to attack the Ferraris, Hamilton, unable to overtake, kept his word by giving his place back to Bottas.
This gesture, which cost him a podium and three precious points while he was behind Vettel in the championship, was for Allison proof of Hamilton's integrity and character. A few months later, Hamilton emerged as world champion.
“It's a difficult choice, because it is a rich gallery of experiences during these seasons”, said Allison.
“Although I'm a newcomer to the team, I've been there through thick and thin, winning four Drivers' Championships with him and five Constructors' Championships, so there's plenty to choose from!”
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“I tend to go back to Hungary 2017, where Lewis was allowed to overtake Valtteri to attack the Ferraris ahead of him.”
“He didn't progress as we hoped, but then honored his promise that if he was given a chance to fight with the Ferraris and he didn't succeed, he would let Valtteri get the place back.”
“The way it was carried out was extremely tense, extremely difficult to execute cleanly, because there was a Verstappen lying in wait who made things really difficult to do.”
“Lewis did it and did it with great class. I think it showed the kind of essential fairness that is in Lewis's character, right next to the kind of surly competitor that we all admire so much.”, concluded the Mercedes engineer.
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