On the eve of his farewell Grand Prix as a Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton admits it is “really hitting” him that he is leaving the organization with whom he achieved unprecedented success.

After 12 years, 245 races, six World Championships, and 82 Grand Prix victories, Hamilton had one more race as a Silver Arrows driver before leaving Brackley to join Ferrari.

Hamilton and Mercedes, statistically the most successful Formula One partnership ever, have had a tough three years as the team has battled with ground-effect aerodynamic cars.

It meant that after he lost the 2021 World title to Max Verstappen in trying circumstances, Hamilton suffered a 945-day barren run before winning this year’s British Grand Prix. He added a second victory in Spa to bring his tally to 105 wins, 82 as a Mercedes F1 driver but all 105 with Mercedes power.

However, the highlights reel in the last three years has been lacking, prompting Hamilton to throw the dice one last time in his Formula 1 career when he announced at the beginning of the year that he’ll be racing in red in 2025.

He admits it’s really hitting him hard now knowing that this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is his last as a Mercedes F1 driver.

“This is really it,” he wrote on Instagram.

“My last race with Mercedes AMG F1.

“What we’ve built together over the years is nothing short of historic. People doubted me making this move in 2013, and here we are now. The records we’ve broken, the championships we’ve won, it all speaks for itself.

“This won’t be the last time I thank Mercedes, but going into my final race with this team is really hitting me now.

“It’s really the end of an era in my life, in my career, for the team, and in F1 history. I’m proud of what we’ve created, I’m proud of every single person that been part of this with me.

“Thank you. It’s been real, now let’s go again one more time.”

Earlier in the week Wolff posted a message on Mercedes’ website, calling for one last hurrah as the Brackley squad said farewell to their six-time F1 World Champion.

“This weekend is a celebration,” he wrote. “A celebration of everything that we have accomplished together. Lewis’ association with Mercedes goes back 26 years. Every lap of his career so far has been powered by the three-pointed star.

“We will honour this unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and across the following week as we visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart, then finally Brixworth and Brackley. And honour it knowing that, while this phase of our relationship is coming to an end, Lewis will always be a part of our family.

“For now, though, our full focus is on the race weekend. There is no better way to mark the end of our time together than with a strong performance on the track. The entire team is focused on adding one more highlight to the reel. We also want to end the season on the front foot.

“Thank you, Lewis: for one final time, let’s do this.”

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Ferrari Urged to Cancel Lewis Hamilton’s Contract After Mercedes Star Makes ‘Worrying’ Admission

Ferrari have been advised to find a way out of Lewis Hamilton’s contract after the Mercedes star made a ‘worrying’ admission.

It has been a season to forget for Hamilton as he has struggled to bring the best out of his Mercedes car.

Despite that, the Brit did manage to win two races, at Silvertone and in Belgium.

After this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton will bid farewell to Mercedes as he prepares to leave the Brackley-based team for Ferrari.

The 39-year-old’s move to Ferrari shocked the Formula 1 world when it was announced back in February.

Last week, Hamilton was called out for making a ‘worrying’ comment ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

He said after sprint qualifying: “The positive is that the car is fast and George should be able to shoot for pole tomorrow. Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

In response, former F1 driver David Coulthard said: “He’s as low as he can be right now. But I would say that’s pretty worrying. It doesn’t detract from his brilliance, it doesn’t take away anything from the records, but there is a thing called mother nature and the clock is ticking.”

Speaking about Hamilton’s Ferrari move, ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has advised the Italian team to rip up the contract and find a way out.

As reported by F1 Oversteer, Jordan said on the Formula For Success Podcast:

“If you don’t believe 100%, you’re f—–. Do you understand that? Because belief, 99.9% means that there is that tiny, little, little thing in there knocking on your head that gives you the things that maybe, oh, I don’t really have that confidence. I don’t really have the ability.

“And at the moment what I heard from Lewis, I’m not fast enough anymore, they were the words, I think.”

He added: “Honestly, if I was Ferrari, I would say close the book, find the way out. That’s it. I think also, if it’s a little message to you, Lewis, if you’re out there, always remember in life. You’ve got your music, you’ve got your fashion, you’ve got all sorts of other things.

“You are, in most people’s view, the greatest driver of all time. Please remember what I’m going to say to you. Always, always think about the best exit. And this is the time to take the money off the table. Go.”

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Max Verstappen’s Verdict on Hamilton’s Ferrari Title Hopes

Max Verstappen has admitted that Lewis Hamilton could still be a threat with Ferrari next year.

As Hamilton prepares to bid goodbye to Mercedes after 12 seasons and an incredible haul of success, including eight constructors’ titles and six drivers’ championships, he is gearing up for a fresh start with Ferrari post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It was Verstappen and his Red Bull team who put an end to Mercedes’ extraordinary streak, with the Dutch driver controversially clinching the drivers’ title from Hamilton in the dramatic finale of the 2021 season.

“They were the established force. They had won so much and for us we came in, we wanted to try and be better,” Verstappen said.

“We were trying to match them and to have that year in 2021 I think was really cool.

“A lot of pressure, a lot of tense moments between the teams but of course I think it was a great rivalry at the time with two amazing teams going up against each other. That’s something that I will always appreciate.”

Despite winning twice this season, Hamilton has found it tough post-summer break, potentially concluding his Mercedes tenure on a subdued note as he looks set to be outdone by team-mate George Russell on both the qualifying and points front.

Verstappen has weighed in on speculation about whether Hamilton’s performances may be on the decline ahead of his move to Ferrari.

When quizzed if he thinks Hamilton can be a title contender at Ferrari, the Dutch champion said:

“It’s difficult to say. It all depends on how competitive Ferrari are as well. I do feel that when Lewis has a good car he gets more motivated naturally. That’s how it is.

“Maybe it’s good for him to have a little switch of scenery and new motivation because I don’t think he will ever lose it. It’s just how you use it.

“I think it’s still going to be a very competitive season. A lot can happen. For us as well, it’s very unknown how competitive we are going to be against each other right now but that makes it also very exciting once you know the cars are ready.”