Mercedes employee uses just three words to describe Lewis Hamilton’s emotional factory farewell

Arguably the greatest partnership in Formula 1 history – or even sports history – is about to come to an end as Lewis Hamilton says goodbye to Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion will be leaving the Silver Arrows at the end of 2024 after 12 incredible years with the team where he broke numerous records.

Not many would have expected the success Hamilton would go on to have with Mercedes when he controversially announced he would be joining the team from McLaren in 2013. Taking over from Brawn GP in 2010, the Brackley-based outfit had only won one race and grabbed six podiums before Hamilton signed.

Finishing second in his debut season with Mercedes – winning his first race at the Hungarian Grand Prix and finishing third four times – the Brit and the Silver Arrows completely transformed when the turbo-hybrid era came to F1 in 2014.

Hamilton won six of his seven titles between 2014 and 2020 – losing the 2016 title to teammate Nico Rosberg – and helped Mercedes win eight consecutive constructors’ championships between 2014 and 2021.

The ground-effect era brought about a disappointing end to the 39-year-old’s time with the Silver Arrows as he struggled to perform with inconsistent machinery. Hamilton’s two victories in 2024 at Silverstone and Spa were his first since the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

Mercedes employee shares ‘special’ insight into Lewis Hamilton’s farewell to the Mercedes factory

However, his recent difficulties should take nothing away from the accomplishments he achieved with Mercedes. Hamilton became the most winningest driver with the Silver Arrows – which he extended this season to 105 – as well as setting the records for the most podiums and pole positions.

And the team made sure to give the seven-time champion the best possible send-off as he said goodbye to the factory in Brackley.

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Hamilton drove into the factory in an open rooftop Mercedes, with thousands of fans gathered to applaud the Brit on his success with the team. The Silver Arrows even made a plaque for Hamilton which displayed every race win he achieved over the last 12 years.

Bidding farewell to team principal Toto Wolff and the rest of the Mercedes workforce, head of communications Ali Stokes posted on X (formerly Twitter) just three words to describe the emotional evening: “Today was special.”

Can Lewis Hamilton find his form again at Ferrari?

As Hamilton says farewell to Mercedes, the Brit will begin a new adventure with Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton has signed a £39m-a-year contract that runs until 2026, with the option of a further year.

The seven-time world champion is hoping that this new challenge will kickstart a resurgence in form, as Hamilton will be worried about bringing his current form to Ferrari. The 39-year-old suffered the lowest finish of his F1 career in 2024, finishing seventh in the standings.

Qualifying was a huge issue for Hamilton this season, only getting onto the front row once all season and he was eliminated from Q1 on four occasions.

The Brit will face huge competition with Charles Leclerc as his teammate, who is one of the strongest drivers on the grid over one lap and is well-established with Ferrari.

But Guenther Steiner thinks Hamilton ‘needs’ the challenge of Leclerc as his teammate as it could reignite his form that every F1 fan knows he is capable of.