The 2024 Formula 1 season took a bitter turn for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi, as the seven-time world champion’s final qualifying session with the team ended in a Q1 elimination. A disastrous performance by Mercedes, compounded by an on-track bollard incident, left Hamilton stranded in 18th place on the grid, casting a dark cloud over what was meant to be a celebratory farewell.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff didn’t mince words in the aftermath, branding the team’s performance as “inexcusable” and “a shame” during post-qualifying interviews.
“This was idiotic,” Wolff fumed. “There are no excuses for letting Lewis down like this in his final qualifying session for the team. It’s a failure on every level.”
A Farewell in Tatters
Hamilton, who celebrated two standout victories this season—including an emotional win at his home Grand Prix in Silverstone—had hoped to end his tenure with Mercedes on a high note. Instead, his final weekend with the team has been marred by disappointment, with the Q1 exit extinguishing hopes of a strong finish in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes had planned a grand farewell for the 39-year-old, but Wolff admitted that the botched qualifying session overshadowed their efforts. “We wanted to give Lewis a worthy send-off, but this is far from it,” Wolff said. “He deserved much better.”
Hamilton’s Rollercoaster Season
The 2024 season has been a tumultuous ride for Hamilton and Mercedes. While there were flashes of brilliance—like his two race wins—the team struggled to maintain consistent performance, particularly in the latter half of the year. In Abu Dhabi, the team’s pace issues were laid bare, with Hamilton unable to recover from the bollard incident that disrupted his final flying lap in Q1.
Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025, reflected on the disappointment. “It’s not the way I wanted to end things with Mercedes,” he said. “But I’ll give everything I’ve got in the race to finish this chapter with pride.”
Wolff’s Call for Accountability
Wolff’s frustration underscored deeper issues within Mercedes’ operations this season. The Austrian team boss acknowledged that Mercedes failed to deliver a car capable of consistently challenging for wins. He also pointed out the team’s failure to adapt strategy in critical moments, including Hamilton’s ill-fated Q1 run.
“This wasn’t just about the bollard,” Wolff said. “We’ve been on the back foot too often this year. It’s unacceptable for a team of our caliber.”
Looking Ahead
While Hamilton’s Mercedes chapter is closing on a sour note, his future with Ferrari offers a fresh opportunity to rebuild. The Italian team has struggled to reclaim its championship-winning form in recent years, and Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 is expected to inject new energy into Maranello.
For Mercedes, the focus now shifts to regrouping and preparing for life without their talismanic driver. George Russell, who qualified seventh in Abu Dhabi, will lead the team’s efforts moving forward, with the hope of reigniting the Silver Arrows’ dominance in Formula 1.
The Legacy of Hamilton and Mercedes
Regardless of the Abu Dhabi disappointment, Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes will be remembered as one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history. Together, they claimed six drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles, setting a new standard for dominance in the sport.
As the curtain falls on this era, Hamilton and Mercedes are left to reflect on their remarkable journey—even if the final chapter didn’t go as planned. For now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s race, where Hamilton will aim to salvage pride and close his Mercedes career with one last spirited drive.