As Lewis Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes after an illustrious 11-year tenure to join Ferrari in 2025, his teammate George Russell has shared a heartfelt message ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race marks Hamilton’s final outing with the Brackley-based squad, where he established himself as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers, winning six world championships with the team.
Russell’s Tribute: From Fan to Teammate
Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022, took to Instagram to express his admiration and gratitude for the time spent alongside Hamilton. The 26-year-old reflected on the journey from being a 10-year-old fan seeking Hamilton’s autograph to sharing the same garage for three years.
“From waiting for your autograph as a 10-year-old to being teammates for 3 years. It’s been an honor, mate!!”
The post, accompanied by pictures of the two drivers, highlights the mutual respect and camaraderie that developed during their time as teammates.
Hamilton’s Legacy at Mercedes
Hamilton leaves Mercedes as one of its most decorated drivers, having achieved:
- 6 World Championships (2014–2020)
- 82 race wins with the team
- Countless milestones that cemented the Silver Arrows’ dominance in the turbo-hybrid era.
While 2024 has been a challenging season for Hamilton, with just two wins and five podiums, his contribution to the team’s history remains unparalleled.
Russell’s Form and the Future
Russell has outperformed Hamilton in 2024, equaling his teammate’s two wins but delivering a more consistent season. As Mercedes looks toward 2025, Russell will team up with young Italian sensation Kimi Antonelli, marking the start of a new era for the team.
Toto Wolff Fires Back at Christian Horner
As emotions run high in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added fuel to the ongoing feud between Red Bull and Mercedes. Wolff lashed out at Christian Horner for calling Russell “hysterical” following the Qatar GP incident with Max Verstappen.
“Why does he feel entitled to comment about my driver? How does that come? I don’t want to get involved in Max and George’s spat, but if the other team principal calls George hysterical, that’s where he crosses a line for me.”
Wolff didn’t hold back, referring to Horner as a “yapping little terrier” and criticizing his comments as baseless and unnecessary.
A Fiery Season Finale in Abu Dhabi
With the 2024 season concluding under the lights of Yas Marina Circuit, tensions between Mercedes and Red Bull remain high. While Hamilton’s farewell is the emotional highlight, the battle for the constructors’ championship between McLaren and Ferrari will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
As the curtain falls on Hamilton’s legendary Mercedes career, all eyes will be on the grid to witness one of the most anticipated finales in recent F1 history.
