Recovery drive from 16th to fourth a “good way to end” Mercedes chapter

Lewis Hamilton was satisfied with his final grand prix as a Mercedes driver after finishing fourth in Abu Dhabi.

The seven-times world champion, wbo won six of those titles with Mercedes, is leaving the team after 12 seasons with them, to join Ferrari.

Hamilton had to work hard for his fourth place from 16th on the grid. After starting on hard tyres, he gained four places on the opening lap.

He rose as high as third as he ran a longer opening stint than his rivals, then pitted after half-distance to switch to the medium rubber. Hamilton then overtook Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly to gain fifth place.

Over the latter stages of the race Hamilton hunted down team mate George Russell, closing down a 14-second deficit and passing him for fourth on the final lap.

“That was a tough, tough race,” Hamilton told the official F1 channel after the race.

“The beginning was a little bit slow and I was really struggling in that early phase. But to be able to come back through at the end, come back from sixth to fourth, I’m really, really, really happy with that. A mega job from the team and definitely a good way to end.”

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Hamilton was given a special position on the pit straight after the race alongside the podium finishers to mark the final race for F1’s most successful team and driver combination. Hamilton’s emotions were clear to see as he knelt beside his W15 after racing it for the final time.

“It was the last time I’m going to be in the cockpit of a Mercedes,” he said. “So I was just trying to enjoy that moment.

“Obviously I did the whole race, but there’s so much you’re doing in it. Just to be able to hold on to that moment, because it’s history now.

“All my races, they’ve all been powered by Mercedes, and all the success we’ve had. So I just sat there to think about all that and really contemplate just how great a journey it’s been.”

Hamilton appeared to allude to his future team when he arrived at the Yas Marina circuit wearing a bright red outfit. However he said he will always have affection for his Mercedes team.

“I’m going to miss them,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss them.

“It’s going to be a huge amount, because I’ve worked with them every day for the past 12 years. But there’s a lot of love within his team and that’s not going anywhere.”

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