Method One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 5, 2024 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton forward of the grand prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
ABU DHABI–Lewis Hamilton has admitted he ‘massively underestimated’ how exhausting his lengthy goodbye to Mercedes could be forward of an emotional ultimate race for the staff in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The 39-year-old seven-times world champion surprised Method One in February when he introduced he was leaving Mercedes, who’ve supported him since his days in go-karting, for Ferrari on the finish of the 12 months.
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Mercedes has had time to regulate, with 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli signed because the Briton’s substitute, however Hamilton informed reporters at Yas Marina the transition had not been simple.
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton faces emotional finish to ‘wonderful’ Mercedes
“I anticipated it could be troublesome, however massively underestimated how troublesome it could be,” he mentioned.
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“It was straining on the connection very early on, took time for individuals to get previous it. After which only for my very own self, it’s been a really emotional 12 months for me.
“And I believe I’ve not been at my finest in dealing with and coping with these feelings.”
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton advantageous with Ferrari check wait
The winner of a report 105 races, and two this season together with a house one at Silverstone, has struggled along with his automotive’s dealing with. Questions have been requested about his velocity as he approaches 40 with greater than 350 races below his belt.
Hamilton mentioned in Qatar final weekend he had “nonetheless received it”. However his frustration, significantly in qualifying, the place teammate George Russell leads him 18-5, has been evident. In Brazil, he even hinted he won’t full the season.
HAMILTON SET FOR EMOTIONAL FINAL GRAND PRIX FOR MERCEDES
Method One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 5, 2024 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton forward of the grand prix REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
“I believe you’ve all seen the worst of me and seen one of the best of me and I’m not going to apologize for both as a result of I’m solely human and I don’t at all times get it proper,” he mentioned in Abu Dhabi.
“I might positively would say this 12 months’s been one of many worst when it comes to dealing with that from my aspect, which I’ll work on making an attempt to be higher at.
“However I hope the nice and the highs far outweigh the negatives and the way I’ve dealt with it or behaved.”
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton ends an period as McLaren, Ferrari combat for title
Hamilton received six of his seven titles with Mercedes, and will have had an eighth at Yas Marina in 2021 however for a controversial late change to the security automotive process whereas he was main. He has began 246 races with the staff.
His achievements, as the one Black driver on the beginning grid, additionally embrace reworking Mercedes – and by extension the game – right into a extra racially various and welcoming atmosphere.
Ferrari, the staff that took Michael Schumacher to 5 of his seven titles, might be his third staff since his 2007 debut with McLaren.
“I’m not evaluating myself to Michael. Not that,” mentioned the Briton. “For the time being, that’s not one thing that I’m enthusiastic about.
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“I’m making an attempt to consider ensuring that I end off the suitable manner and one of the simplest ways attainable with Mercedes. These subsequent days are going to be super-emotional.”
