Abu Dhabi GP: Lewis Hamilton says 'hard to let go' to Mercedes - ESPN

An emotional Lewis Hamilton admitted it was «hard to let go» to his Mercedes after Formula 1's most successful driver-team partnership came to a fitting end at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton, joining Ferrari next season after12 years, 84 victories and six drivers' championships with the Silver Arrows, stormed through the field in 2024's season finale to finish fourth after starting 16th.

After the race, Hamilton performed donuts on the Yas Marina track and then knelt next to his Mercedes car before standing on it to salute the crowd.

The British driver has been doing his best to keep his emotions in check this week but said the «greatest honour of my life» concluding started to sink in after the chequered flag.

«Every moment that I've got in the car this week I've known that it's one of the last,» Hamilton said. «It's been really, really clear, and really hard to let go.

»So I think when I stopped the car I just wanted to embrace the moment, because it's the last time I'm going to step into Mercedes and represent them.

«It's been the greatest honour of my life, so I think when I knelt next to it it was just about giving thanks, firstly thanking my own spirit for continuing to push, and thanking everyone that powered and built that car. I'm proud of everyone.»

Hamilton has had his Mercedes exit hanging over him all year after informing the team he was leaving Ferrari before a wheel was turned in anger in 2024. He ended seventh in the drivers' standings this season, the lowest finish of his 18-year career.

But Abu Dhabi, ended with what he described as a «now or never» last-lap overtake on teammate George Russell, showed the seven-time world champion's mettle and skill.

«It's not that I need to have confidence. I've