Lewis Hamilton Reacts to Final Mercedes Race: 'Lots of Ups and Downs, Emotionally'

Lewis Hamilton's time with Mercedes has come to an end.

The British driver is leaving the Mercedes team to join Ferrari for next season. His last race came at the Abu Dhabi GP, where he finished fourth after beginning in 16th. Before stepping out of the car a final time, he made sure to show off some theatrics:

He reflected on the previous year and said that while it featured highs and lows, he was happy it finished on a strong note.

"It's been a really turbulent year, probably the longest year of my life," Hamilton said, per ESPN. "I would say, because we've known it from the beginning that we're leaving. It's like a relationship, when you've told whoever the counterpart is that you're leaving, but you're living together for a whole year. Lots of ups and downs, emotionally, but we finished off with a high today."

He also reflected that he was sentimental this week and that it has been "hard to let go."

"Every moment that I've got in the car this week I've known that it's one of the last," Hamilton said. "It's been really, really clear, and really hard to let go."

He spent 12 years with Mercedes, winning 84 races and six drivers championships. He finished seventh in the drivers standings in 2024, which was his lowest finish in his professional career.

Hamilton will join a Ferrari team headlined by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz that finished second in the Constructors standings behind McLaren.