Lewis Hamilton’s farewell season with Mercedes has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of brilliance and despair across the year.
The seven-time world champion will officially switch silver for red after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Hamilton joins Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year deal.
His sensational transfer marks the end of one of F1’s greatest partnerships. Hamilton won six of his seven world championships with Mercedes and broke numerous records, including the most wins, pole positions and podiums in F1 history.
But the 39-year-old has endured a frustrating time with the Silver Arrows during the ground effect era that began in 2022. Since then, Mercedes have been unable to provide a competitive package for Hamilton and teammate George Russell.
This season has been particularly difficult, given that Hamilton is currently in the lowest position he has ever been in the Drivers’ Championship, sitting seventh heading into Abu Dhabi.
Toto Wolff says it would be ‘too easy’ to blame Lewis Hamilton for his qualifying struggles this season
The Brit has had some moments of quality in 2024, with his ninth victory at the British Grand Prix – his first win since Jeddah 2021 – and his second win of the year at the Belgian Grand Prix.
But Hamilton has been considerably outperformed by Russell this season, with qualifying being the notable area he is struggling with. Including Sprint qualifying, Russell is beating the 39-year-old 23-6 in the teammate battle.
His struggles have led to some comments from Hamilton stating that he doesn’t feel fast enough anymore. Eddie Jordan has told Ferrari to rip up Hamilton’s contract after that development as he does not think he should be in F1 if he does not have 100% belief in himself.
Speaking with BBC’s Chequered Flag show, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says it is ‘too easy’ to blame Hamilton for his qualifying woes as the team have not provided him with a car that is fast enough.
READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family
“I think there will be many factors at play. But you know, sometimes qualifying results are always so, are all so very tight and the statistics don’t always represent that in the right way.
“We have seen on a day where he is one with the car that he is as fast as he has been. His race performances have been very good when the car did what he wanted and I think, it would be too easy to blame him for not driving on the level he did before, anything like that.
“I think it is our obligation to provide the drivers with a car that they drive fast and we have not been able to give him that car.”
Can Lewis Hamilton end his Mercedes career with a win?
Mercedes have recently found strong performance in the last few races. Russell won the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a one-two finish for the team and secured pole positon in Qatar after Max Verstappen was controversially penalised with a one-place grid penalty.
Heading into Abu Dhabi and with the new-found pace within the W15, Hamilton will be looking to end his 12-year stint at Mercedes on a high. However, Jenson Button fears that Hamilton may regret his decision to join Ferrari if he does win with the Silver Arrows again.
Nevertheless, this weekend is set to be an emotional one for the Brackley-based outfit as they wave goodbye to one of the sport’s greats.
Mercedes arranged a special surprise for Hamilton in the paddock club with an emotional video of his career with the team. But the Brit was reluctant to go as he had never been in the paddock club before, with Hamilton later apologising to Mercedes after realising the reason for going there.
The Brit also shared a great moment with the drivers before the season finale as he arranged a driver-dinner with his fellow competitors. Jackie Stewart said it was ‘truly beautiful’ to see Hamilton put together the event ahead of his final outing with Mercedes.
