Lewis Hamilton‘s emotional farewell at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked an end to an illustrious 12-year partnership with Mercedes.
While the race, held at Yas Marina Circuit marked the conclusion of the 2024 F1 season; it also marked the end of an era for both Hamilton and the team that propelled him to unprecedented heights in motorsport history.
The atmosphere was charged with nostalgia and anticipation as fans awaited Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell to Mercedes as team prepared to say goodbye to one of the sport’s greatest champions.
Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes began under challenging circumstances. After a difficult qualifying session where he started from 16th position—his third Q1 exit in six races—many believed it would be a tough 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend for the seven-time world champion.
An incident involving a bollard during qualifying compounded his struggles, however, true to his resilient spirit, the British driver delivered an impressive performance, clawing his way through the field to finish in fourth place.
His drive was characterized by an impressive hard-to-medium tyre strategy and skillful overtaking maneuvers, including a dramatic last-lap pass on teammate George Russell, showcasing why he remains one of the sport’s elite drivers.
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff and senior race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington sent heartfelt messages to mark Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell.
“Nice work, Lewis. That’s a P4, mate,” said a tearful Bonnington . “And that’s the end of an era. I’ve got to say, mate, it’s been epic working with you.”
Team principal Toto Wolff praised Hamilton’s performance, stating: “Lewis, that was the drive of a world champion,” he said. “That’s the drive of a world champion. Amazing.”
In return, Hamilton expressed his gratitude to the team that had supported him throughout his career: “Thanks, Toto… that was fun.”
Bonnington added: “Stellar job today. It’s been a pleasure all the way. In the tough times…”
Hamilton replied: “The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone. But together we believed. And as a team, we achieved things that only… thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion for seeing me and supporting me.
“What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. So, we did everything together and I’m so, so grateful to everyone. From the bottom of my heart, all the best.”
Bonnington took to the radio again. “Thank you, Lewis. Yeah, it’s been an amazing journey,” he added. “I’m so grateful to be part of this chapter of your life and best luck for the next one,”
Wolff then ended by saying: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of that family. And if we can’t win, you should win.”
The weight of Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell race with the silver Arrows took a fever pitch when his long-time race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, delivered the iconic call of “It’s Hammer Time” for the last time during a pit stop.
For Hamilton, this moment crystallized the reality that his time with Mercedes was coming to an end.
“When Bono said it was ‘Hammer Time’, I did notice in the moment, I was like, ‘that’s the last time I’m going to hear that,’” Hamilton later shared with Sky Sports F1 after the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“It really clicked for me in that moment. But a really, really hard race, naturally, from where I started on the grid. The first stint was really difficult. I wasn’t losing hope, but I was just like, ‘ah, it’s not going as well as I thought it would.’
“But I just didn’t give up, kept pushing, ‘come on we can get there’. Switched onto the medium tyres and the car came alive. But I had a massive gap to close, so I just focused on getting just absolutely everything from the car and not giving up.
“I just wanted to finish on as much as a high, and just give every ounce of me to the team as they’ve given to me all of these years.”
As Hamilton knelt beside his Mercedes W14 after completing celebratory donuts on the track—a symbolic farewell to a car that had been instrumental in his success—he reflected on what this moment meant to him.
“I think it was just the last time I’m going to be in the cockpit of a Mercedes,“ Hamilton added. “Just trying to enjoy that moment.
“Obviously I did the whole race, and there’s so much to do in it, but just to be able to hold onto that moment, because it’s history now and all my races have all been powered by Mercedes, and all the success we’ve had – I just sat there to think about all that and just contemplate how great a journey it’s been.
“I’m going to miss them – I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss them, it’s going to be a huge amount. I’ve worked with them every day for the past 12 years. There’s a lot of love within this team, and that’s not going anywhere.”
Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell comes after several challenges as Mercedes struggles to reclaim its former glory; The Brit admitted that the year had been particularly tough as he grappled with the impending change.
This comes after Hamilton’s announcement earlier in the year, where he confirmed his switch to Ferrari from 2025 on a multi-year deal, and he said there have been several awkward moments as a result, but was pleased with the ending.
“It’s been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life, I would say, because we’ve known from the beginning that we’re leaving,” Hamilton said.
“It’s like a relationship when you’ve told whoever the counterpart is that you’re leaving, but you’re living together for a whole year. Lots of ups and downs emotionally, but we finished off with a high today.”
Lewis Hamilton’s emotional farewell marks the end of his monumental legacy at Mercedes; together they have redefined success in Formula 1 by securing six Drivers’ Championships and eight Constructors’ Championships.
His departure leaves big shoes to fill as rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to take over his seat alongside George Russell next season 34.
The emotional weight of leaving such a successful team is matched only by Hamilton’s anticipation for what lies ahead at Ferrari—a team steeped in its own rich history and tradition.
