After the finish, Hamilton span his car into celebratory “donuts” for the crowd before climbing out for the last time and giving a double thumbs-up.
WASHINGTON — Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes with one last overtake and a heartfelt message to the team where he won the Formula 1 title six times.
“We dreamed alone but together, we believed,” Hamilton told race engineer Peter Bonnington and team principal Toto Wolff over the radio.
“I appreciate your courage, determination, and unwavering support. What began as a risky decision has now become a remarkable journey that will be remembered in history.”
In 2025, Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes after a successful 12-year partnership to join Ferrari. During his time at Mercedes, he clinched six out of his seven career drivers’ championships making it the most victorious collaboration in F1 history. Hamilton’s last race saw him overtaking his teammate George Russell on the final lap to secure fourth place.
Following the race, Hamilton performed celebratory spins known as “donuts” for the spectators before getting out of his car for the final time. He acknowledged the cheers of the crowd with a double thumbs-up gesture and then knelt beside his Mercedes, giving it a pat.
Hamilton’s upcoming transition to Ferrari marks a new chapter in his career as he aims to capture his eighth world championship title. This pursuit comes after a heartbreaking loss in Abu Dhabi in 2021, where Max Verstappen managed to pass him on the final lap following a safety-car restart, creating one of the most contentious moments in F1’s history.
It’s been nearly 10 months and an entire season since Hamilton’s decision was announced in February, and he’s admitted that his impending departure was a strain on his relationships within the team.
Hamilton started his 246th and last race with Mercedes from 16th on the grid after misfortune in qualifying that drew an apology from Wolff.
Hamilton made it up to 12th in the early laps but found it hard to progress from there. “I’ve got no pace, mate,” he said over the radio. It seemed like Hamilton’s unlucky run in recent races was going to continue and cast a shadow over his farewell.
Gradually, however, things started to go his way. The strategy call to start on the more durable hard tire and finish on the faster medium compound paid off, and Hamilton gradually climbed through the field as other drivers had to pit.
A podium finish was even possible at one stage, Mercedes hoped, but Hamilton had to make do with catching Russell on the last lap. Still, “that was the drive of a world champion,” Wolff told Hamilton over the radio.
