Lewis Hamilton was glad along with his remaining grand prix as a Mercedes driver after ending fourth in Abu Dhabi.
The seven-times world champion, wbo received six of these titles with Mercedes, is leaving the staff after 12 seasons with them, to hitch Ferrari.
Hamilton needed to work exhausting for his fourth place from sixteenth on the grid. After beginning on exhausting tyres, he gained 4 locations on the opening lap.
He rose as excessive as third as he ran an extended opening stint than his rivals, then pitted after half-distance to modify to the medium rubber. Hamilton then overtook Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly to achieve fifth place.
Over the latter levels of the race Hamilton hunted down staff mate George Russell, closing down a 14-second deficit and passing him for fourth on the ultimate lap.
“That was a troublesome, powerful race,” Hamilton instructed the official F1 channel after the race.
“The start was just a little bit sluggish and I used to be actually struggling in that early section. However to have the ability to come again by way of on the finish, come again from sixth to fourth, I’m actually, actually, actually proud of that. A mega job from the staff and undoubtedly a great way to finish.”
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Hamilton was given a particular place on the pit straight after the race alongside the rostrum finishers to mark the ultimate race for F1’s most profitable staff and driver mixture. Hamilton’s feelings have been clear to see as he knelt beside his W15 after racing it for the ultimate time.
“It was the final time I’m going to be within the cockpit of a Mercedes,” he mentioned. “So I used to be simply making an attempt to get pleasure from that second.
“Clearly I did the entire race, however there’s a lot you’re doing in it. Simply to have the ability to maintain on to that second, as a result of it’s historical past now.
“All my races, they’ve all been powered by Mercedes, and all of the success we’ve had. So I simply sat there to consider all that and actually ponder simply how nice a journey it’s been.”
Hamilton appeared to allude to his future staff when he arrived on the Yas Marina circuit sporting a brilliant crimson outfit. Nonetheless he mentioned he’ll at all times have affection for his Mercedes staff.
“I’m going to overlook them,” he mentioned. “I can’t inform you how a lot I’m going to overlook them.
“It’s going to be an enormous quantity, as a result of I’ve labored with them every single day for the previous 12 years. However there’s quite a lot of love inside his staff and that’s not going anyplace.”
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