Lewis Hamilton bids farewell this weekend to Mercedes, the staff that carried him to 6 world titles, as his future outfit Ferrari search to win a primary constructors’ crown in 16 years.

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Sunday’s floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the tip of an period because the Briton concludes a exceptional 12-year spell with the Silver Arrows and a 26-year affiliation with the Mercedes model.

The race will begin at 15:00 (SA time).

Rediscover his mojo

Hamilton will then transfer on to Ferrari, the place Italy hopes he can rediscover the mojo that made him the game’s most profitable driver with seven titles and 105 wins earlier than hitting a trough of frustration within the present ‘ground effect’ period.

This has seen Red Bull return to dominate with Max Verstappen profitable 4 consecutive drivers’ titles, even when this season noticed them decline, a fall that sees McLaren hanging on to a 21-point lead on Ferrari coming into the season-ending race.

McLaren – Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 residence – haven’t gained the groups’ title since 1998 whereas Ferrari’s final success got here in 2008, since when Mercedes and Red Bull have dominated.

Despite his travails in latest weeks, notably in Brazil and Qatar, Hamilton will go away Mercedes feeling conflicting feelings.

“It is a celebration of everything we have achieved,” mentioned staff boss Toto Wolff of the finale on the Yas Marina Circuit.

“We will honour an unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and then visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart and both Brixworth and Brackley… Lewis will always be part of our family.”

He added that earlier than Hamilton’s closing visits to the outfit’s varied centres, the “total staff needs so as to add another spotlight to the reel.

“Nothing is going to take away 12 incredible years. That’s the memory, not a season of races that were particularly bad.”

‘Perfect weekend’

Ferrari supplied Hamilton a contract till 2026, which Mercedes weren’t ready to do, giving him a continued platform not solely to bid for an unprecedented eighth title, but additionally to advertise variety and inclusion.

For Hamilton, a Ferrari title success on Sunday may very well be an ideal prelude to his transfer and assist erase his latest tantrums and feedback about ending races and the season early.

Ferrari staff boss Fred Vasseur declared he’s not in any respect anxious by Hamilton claiming he has misplaced his pace.

“Have a look at the 50 laps he did in Vegas. Starting P10, finishing on the gearbox of Russell. No, I’m not worried.”

Lewis Hamilton, who will probably be 40 in January, is decided to “rise again” and make his mark.

“I’m still standing,” he mentioned. “It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.”

Carlos Sainz, whose seat he’s set to take, will even be searching for a contented exit as he and Charles Leclerc bid to overturn McLaren’s lead.

“Twenty-one points requires a perfect weekend from Ferrari and a bad weekend from McLaren,” mentioned Sainz.

“We’re going to give it our best shot. I think if we nail a good weekend, we could still make it happen. Nothing to lose.”

On kind, at a circuit prone to favour them, McLaren begin as favourites.

But after profitable in Qatar, Verstappen will search a tenth win this 12 months along with his regular vim as Red Bull say goodbye to sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who’s transferring to Sauber/Audi.

The Dutchman Verstappen may additionally carry motivation from his Qatar fallout with Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez could also be in his final race with the staff after a hapless run whereas Alpine welcome Jack Doohan for his debut as substitute for Esteban Ocon.

How will Lewis Hamilton do in his closing race for Mercedes in Adu Dhabi?

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