F1 News
Hamilton happy with the W15: 'Trying to keep emotions under control'
Hamilton did not have the best relationship with the W15 during recent Grands Prix. In Brazil and Qatar, he was not happy with his car especially. In Abu Dhabi, where the seven-time world champion will compete for the final time for Mercedes, things are now looking a little better, the driver said after the Friday in Abu Dhabi.
"It felt better today. It’s not been such a bad day," Hamilton told Sky Sports after FP2 at the Yas Marina Circuit. So an end of an era is approaching." Very surreal, and I’ve just tried to be really as present as I can be today and just enjoying every moment. So, from arriving to seeing the engineers and really just taking moments and really capturing them as much as I can, and then to getting ready and getting in the car."
However, enjoying his final weekend is not just enough for the British driver. Looking at where Mercedes stands this weekend, he said: "The McLarens are still so fast, as is Ferrari, but we’re in the mix kind of but have got to find some time."
Hamilton's emotional in Abu Dhabi
Still, it all remains emotional for Hamilton at the Yas Marina Circuit, the track where he has triumphed so many times before. Five times, to be exact. " There’s no trick to it, I’m trying to keep my emotions as under control as I can."
Next season, Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari after spending more than a decade with Mercedes. With the German team, he has won six driver's and seven constructor's titles, and his first title in 2008 was also completed with a Mercedes engine in his car at McLaren.
"It’s human emotion, that’s normal. But I’m really just trying to channel it into the car, into the squad. I have so much love for the team. I’ve been wanting to do well for them for ages, but one last go at it. We won’t change too much on the car tonight, and hopefully, tomorrow we will be there or thereabouts. I mean, it’s never that easy to determine, but I think our long-run pace didn’t look too bad today. That was the big positive from today," concluded the seven-time world champion.
This article was written in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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