Lewis Hamilton ends Mercedes F1 career with fight, emotion: ‘I’ve got no more tears’
New York TimesABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Stooped beside his silver and black Mercedes W15 car on the main straight of the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton paused to soak up the moment. “I just wanted to embrace the moment because it’s the last time I’m going to step into a Mercedes and represent them,” Hamilton said in the media pen after the race, eyes glistening. “OK, Lewis, it’s hammer time!” Lewis Hamilton started P16 at the Abu Dhabi GP and finished P5. “When he told me, I was like, I can’t remember the last time he told me ‘hammer time,’” Hamilton said post-race. “The team deserved to give him that send-off.” As he turned through the final few corners, the sky already lit up with fireworks to honor Lando Norris’s win, Hamilton soaked in the last moments as a Mercedes grand prix driver before crossing the line.