Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is competing in his final Grand Prix with Mercedes this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Lewis Hamilton experienced an emotional Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as part of the final round of the 2024 Formula 1 season. If the British driver is optimistic about his chances in the race, he recognizes a certain gap to be filled, particularly against McLaren and Ferrari.
An emotional day for Hamilton
Hamilton finished free practice in fifth position, around six tenths off the fastest time, but was more competitive in race pace. This Friday also marked a special moment for him: his symbolic farewell to Mercedes after a decade marked by historic success.
“It was a very special dayhe confides.
The car was more pleasant to drive, but this Friday had a surreal dimension. I tried to enjoy every moment, whether with the engineers or on the track.”
Hamilton explains that he tried to channel his emotions to stay focused. “It's been a year that's had some ups and downs, but I'm trying to turn that energy into something positive for the team. I want to finish this season strong.”
McLaren and Ferrari in the crosshairs
Despite his efforts, Hamilton remains cautious about the current hierarchy: “The McLarens are extremely fast, as are the Ferraris. We are in the running for the race, but we still need to make up time for qualifying.”
He nevertheless emphasizes that the pace over the long runs seemed encouraging, particularly compared to the McLarens.
George Russell, for his part, shares a similar but more critical view: “We are still far from the leaders. McLaren seems in a class of its own. We tried more radical adjustments to prepare for 2025, but it didn't really pay off today.”
One last challenge before the end of the season
For Hamilton and Mercedes, this final weekend is an opportunity to learn lessons from this difficult season. If the W15 shows signs of competitiveness, the challenge remains immense in the face of better-armed rivals. Hamilton concludes with determination: “I'm going to give everything for this team. Tonight we won't change much, and I hope tomorrow we'll be where we need to be.”
With a fierce battle ahead, Mercedes will need to rely on an exceptional performance to compete with McLaren and Ferrari in this final event of the season.
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