Lewis Hamilton has revealed that his final season with Mercedes has been one of the most emotionally challenging of his 12-year career with the Silver Arrows, as he prepares to close this chapter and move to Ferrari in 2025.
In a interview ahead of his last race for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi this weekend, the 39-year-old seven-time world champion admitted that he has struggled to manage his emotions throughout a turbulent year.
“It’s been a very emotional year for me and I don’t think I’ve been the best at handling my emotions this year,” Hamilton told reporters on Thursday.
“You’ve seen the best of me and the worst of me, but I’m not going to apologise as I’m human.”
Hamilton’s Rough 2021 Season
Lewis Hamilton’s final group photo with Mercedes
The 2021 season, which ended in dramatic fashion with a controversial defeat to Max Verstappen in the title fight, has cast a long shadow over Hamilton’s career.
Since that heartbreaking loss, Mercedes has failed to maintain its dominant form, slipping behind rivals Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.
Despite a few highs, including a memorable victory at Silverstone in July, Hamilton has struggled to replicate the performances that once made him one of the sport’s most feared drivers.
“In Qatar last week, I was definitely not fast anymore,” he reflected, after a disappointing performance in sprint qualifying.
Hamilton’s frustration has been palpable throughout the year.
He secured his first podium finish in ten races at the Spanish Grand Prix, but his journey back to the top has been far from easy.
The British driver currently sits seventh in the standings, 24 points behind his teammate George Russell.
The emotional weight of this season has been compounded by the announcement, made at the start of the year, that Hamilton would leave Mercedes after more than a decade with the team.
His departure was confirmed ahead of the season, and Hamilton admitted that the situation has been difficult from the very beginning.
“Ultimately I anticipated it would be difficult but massively underestimated how difficult it would be,” Hamilton confessed.
“Realising these are the last moments with the team, it’s hard to describe the feeling – not the greatest of course.”
However, Lewis Hamilton desires to finish his career with Mercedes “the right way,” as he looks forward to his transition to Ferrari.
“It’s a dream scenario for any driver [joining Ferrari], but it’s not an easy step to join a new team, it takes time to build relationships and learn the tools.”
“These days will be super emotional.”
This weekend’s race in Abu Dhabi will mark the end of an era for Hamilton and Mercedes, but the prospect of a fresh start with Ferrari offers him renewed motivation.
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to step into the unknown with Ferrari, his focus remains on finishing strong with Mercedes and ensuring his legacy remains intact.
With a future at the Scuderia, Hamilton is looking ahead, but not without a sense of bittersweet reflection on the team that has been home for the majority of his illustrious career.
