Wolff describes emotions ahead of Hamilton's final race with Mercedes
F1 News
Abu Dhabi will be Lewis Hamilton's final race with Mercedes as he leaves the Silver Arrows after 12 years to join Ferrari. Speaking post-race in Qatar to GPblog and others, Toto Wolff admitted the occasion will be emotional, but is hoping the team can recover from a difficult weekend in Qatar.
"Celebrate the partnership"
Wolff admitted that whilst he knows Abu Dhabi will be an emotional weekend for the team as Hamilton departs, that isn't his focus going into the weekend. "It will be emotional. In a way, it just doesn't touch us yet so much because we are right in the middle of everything. We're fighting, we're trying to do our best every session, every day. But the closer it gets, the more emotional it would be. And then particularly then Sunday, the last laps, the last race."
Hamilton will be replaced at the Brackley-outfit by 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2025. The British driver won six world titles with the team, as well as breaking many more records such as most pole positions, most podiums, and most race wins.
"We have this amazing partnership that has gone over 12 years," Wolff continued. "We've won eight Constructor Championships and six drivers [championships] with him. And I don't know how many races he won. 100? I don't know, 80? 80-something. [real number 84]. So that's the overarching feeling. When I speak to Lewis, that's something which we are holding dearly."
"Now, these last races, maybe even the whole season and the last two, is clearly not what we expect. That car is a handful to drive on its worst days. The moment the grip kicks in, it just doesn't turn. And both drivers had an equal situation. So we have one more to go. We will continue to give it our utmost. We will celebrate the partnership, and the relationship that we had. Then those few races will be forgotten quickly. As much as it hurts at the moment," Wolff concluded.
Mercedes pay tribute to Hamilton's time at the team
Tuesday morning saw Mercedes post a tribute to Hamilton's time with the Silver Arrows, including photos of him with former non-executive chairman of Mercedes Niki Lauda, Valtteri Bottas and Wolff.
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