Lewis Hamilton’s System 1 journey with Mercedes got here to an finish with a incredible drive to complete fourth on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After successful six drivers’ championships throughout an unprecedented period of success with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton will be a part of Ferrari subsequent season, aiming for extra glory.
Hamilton departs Mercedes after one of the vital difficult seasons of his trophy-laden profession and following a stage of success he would by no means have imagined.
Right here, Motorsport.com takes a have a look at a few of the highs and lows of Hamilton’s 12-year affiliation with the Mercedes workforce.
Highs
Hungary for victory
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W04
Photograph by: Sutton Photos
When Hamilton took the shocking step to modify McLaren for Mercedes in 2013, the workforce he joined was nonetheless on the early phases of growing into the powerhouse it could grow to be within the following years.
Regardless of that, he nonetheless managed to take his maiden win for the workforce in simply his tenth race, dominating the weekend to take victory on the Hungarian Grand Prix for a record-equalling fourth time in his profession.
The win additionally noticed Hamilton grow to be the primary British driver to win a race for Mercedes since Sir Stirling Moss – however it could show to be his solely success of 2013, and the dominant Sebastian Vettel stormed to title glory.
There’s no place like dwelling
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photos
Hamilton’s second world championship, and the primary of six with Mercedes, got here in 2014 as he received 11 races throughout the season – considered one of which was success on the British Grand Prix.
It ushered in a exceptional run of wins for Hamilton at Silverstone, who went on to face on the highest step in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Nevertheless, when the title successes and race victories dried up, Hamilton’s emotional victory on the 2024 British Grand Prix proved to be a spotlight of his last two years and gave him a ninth profession win at his dwelling race and an 83th and penultimate race win for Mercedes.
The inconceivable dream
Race winner Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photos
Barring Rosberg’s 2016 success, Hamilton was untouchable throughout his peak years at Mercedes and the title win in 2020 noticed him draw stage with Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships.
Victory on the Turkish Grand Prix noticed him seal the title, having surpassed Schumacher’s document of race wins earlier within the season.
“To all the youngsters on the market, dream the inconceivable,” an emotional Hamilton declared over the workforce radio as he sealed his place as, statistically, the perfect driver in F1 historical past.
Lows
Abu Dhabi drama
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB16B
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
An eighth title would have rubber-stamped Hamilton’s place as the best to ever compete within the sport – and he got here inside moments of doing simply that in 2021.
As an alternative, one of the vital infamous races would ensue in Abu Dhabi, the place each Hamilton and Max Verstappen headed for the season finale locked on the identical variety of factors.
Nevertheless, controversial selections taken by race director Michael Masi in the end noticed Hamilton overtaken by Verstappen within the closing phases, with the threats of authorized motion and requires retrospective reallocation of factors ultimately subsiding however leaving Hamilton with out his document crown.
The 945-day wait
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Crew, 1st place, celebrates on the rostrum with the winners trophy
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
As a part of his 2021 title problem, Hamilton received three of the ultimate 4 races with victories coming in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, the win in Jeddah proved to be his final for a very long time. Actually, it was 945 days – or 56 races – for him so as to add to his winner’s trophies when he received at Silverstone in 2024.
It could show to be the final time Hamilton was on the highest step for Mercedes, even when he would later declare the victory on the Belgian Grand Prix after Russell was disqualified because of being underweight.
Gradual Saturdays
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15
Photograph by: Mercedes AMG
Hamilton’s last season at Mercedes was his worst by way of the variety of factors and his place within the drivers’ championship as he was in the end soundly overwhelmed by team-mate George Russell.
It was arguably on Saturday the place Russell’s superiority confirmed as he outqualified his compatriot 19-5 over the course of the yr, following that up with a 5-1 lead in dash qualifying too.
Hamilton bemoaned his qualifying velocity plenty of instances all through the marketing campaign and stated in Qatar that: “I’m undoubtedly not quick anymore” – Ferrari will definitely be hoping that’s not the case…
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
System 1
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
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