+++By Abdou Kogne Sall of APS+++
Dakar, Dec 8 (APS) – The main Abu Dhabi automobile circuit was Sunday the scene of Lewis Hamilton’s last lap at the wheel of a Mercedes, the final stage of an eight-year collaboration whose mention would relegate almost in the background was the victory of Lendo Norris, synonymous with the constructors’ world title for the McLaren team.
Faithful to his reputation as a driving ace, the British driver did not, however, offer in Abu Dhabi the brilliant strokes of which probably only he has the secret. Hamilton, starting from 16e place at the start, due to failed qualifications, nevertheless managed to steal 4e place for his now ex-teammate, George Russell.
A way to demonstrate your passion and love for this sport. As is his commitment to still seeking to expand his legend. One of the reasons which undoubtedly determined his choice to join the Italian team Ferrari from the 2025 season. Also proof of an assumed desire to expand an already well-filled list of achievements.
The native of Stevenage, England, has won the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship seven times (one with the McLaren team and six with Mercedes). Notably equaling the record of the seven-time world champion, the German Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton is the record holder for the number of pole positions, podiums, races finished in points, career points, laps led, not to mention the number of victories.
Since the start of his F1 career, he has boasted 105 victories, 104 pole positions, 2021 podiums and 67 fastest laps. No one has ever done better in the history of this motorsport. Not even Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian driving genius, self-proclaimed idol of the British driver.
“It’s a departure, not a retirement”
Ennobled in January 2021 by Elizabeth II, then Queen of England, Sir Lewis Hamilton is distinguished above all by the nobility of the fights he carries. We remember the tribute he imposed on supporters of this sport following the murder of black American George Floyd by white police officers in 2020.
The majority of drivers had agreed to kneel on the ground before the start of each race, echoing the movement to fight racism called ”Black Lives Matter”. This is because the fight against racism is the other fight in the life of Lewis Hamilton, the only driver of color to have reached such a level of performance in F1. Motivation and commitment which will undoubtedly remain intact when he joins the Italian team next season.
”It’s a departure but not a retirement. However, this movement is not trivial. After twelve years, 245 grands prix spent racing in a Silver Arrow, won 84 victories, signed 78 pole positions and personally won six world crowns with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton will leave the team he joined in 2013. , the French daily team commented on him on the morning of the 40-year-old driver’s last race at the wheel of his number 44 Flèche d’Argent.
”Here we are. This is really my last race with Mercedes. What we have built together over the years is simply historic. Some doubted I would take this step forward in 2013, and here we are today. It won’t be the last time I thank Mercedes, but going into my last race with this team really hurts me now,” declared the driver on the eve of this last race, the final stage of his journey. at the German team.
AKS/ASB
