Lewis Hamilton came out from the smoke created by his donuts in Abu Dhabi, knelt beside his Mercedes, and gently touched the side of the car.

While it may not have been the fairytale ending they had hoped for, he and Mercedes still concluded their journey on a positive note. An exit in Q1, partly due to a bollard getting lodged under his car, presented a challenging outlook for Sunday, but Hamilton showcased impressive form with a calculated drive through the pack, finishing with a stunning maneuver to overtake teammate George Russell on the last lap, securing fourth place.

“Every opportunity I had in the car this week had reminded me that it was one of the last,” Hamilton expressed. “It’s been so clear and incredibly tough to part ways. When I halted the car, my only desire was to savor the moment, as it would be my final time getting into a Mercedes and representing them.

“It’s been the greatest privilege of my life. They’ve supported me through every race, pole position, and victory we’ve shared, along with every championship. So, when I knelt beside it … I was simply giving thanks. Firstly, I want to acknowledge my own spirit for not giving in and pushing onward, and secondly, to everyone who contributed to building and powering that car; I hold deep pride for each one of them.”

This moment encapsulated it all — a final tribute with the car, a gesture of respect for a team that became family. Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images

Given that news of Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been circulating for some time, the initial shock has faded. He compared it to living with a partner for a year post-announcement of their breakup, but the final race with Mercedes marks a significant moment in Formula 1 history.

At the end of 2012, when Hamilton was still new to F1 and felt deeply affiliated with McLaren, he courageously chose to leave his comfort zone in search of a team that would provide greater personal freedom and competitive machinery.

“I clearly remember my meeting with Niki [Lauda],” he recalled. “I also remember making that decision … It wasn’t nearly as emotional and challenging as this year has been. I think because it was the end of the season, everything moved swiftly and there wasn’t enough time for it to truly settle in for anyone within the team.

“This time feels far more emotional because of the lengthy journey I’ve had with the team and all we’ve experienced together.”

His choice to switch teams more than a decade ago resembled the quest for the holy grail, and Hamilton undoubtedly found it at Mercedes.

Many have stumbled in that pursuit. One such driver often mentioned is Fernando Alonso, who has frequently switched teams in search of a fulfilling environment but never seemed to find himself in the right place at the right moment.

However, Hamilton and Mercedes proved to be the ideal match. It was a setup where he had a teammate in Nico Rosberg who would challenge him, ensuring it wasn’t solely his team, while Hamilton’s faith in the move had further solidified a workforce that was edging closer to becoming a true contender.

When Hamilton joined Mercedes, he was still evolving. Turning 28 before his inaugural season, one could have anticipated him to be at his peak, yet this was a driver still with much development ahead of him, both on and off the track. We just didn’t recognize it back then.

Countless seasons witnessed Hamilton and then-teammate Nico Rosberg seemingly inseparable, a period of significant growth, culminating in a championship duel that displayed remarkable restraint, even from the losing side. Steven Tee/Motorsport Images

The 2014 season featured a double-points finale, though it wasn’t necessary, as the lead between the two Mercedes drivers was only 17 points before Hamilton sealed title number two. The third championship was even more definitive, with Hamilton having clinched the title early in Austin, allowing Rosberg to take victory in the three remaining races — the first occasion Rosberg bested Hamilton in three races they both finished consecutively — creating a momentum that would be difficult to stop.

Four additional victories at the season’s outset set Rosberg on track, placing Hamilton’s title at stake. A retirement in Malaysia proved particularly damaging, but the potential for such a setback to loom large stemmed from early season results.

However, the race that resulted in Hamilton losing the championship also highlighted the level he operates at. His ability to manage pace and hold Rosberg back into approaching traffic was highly commendable, as he never overstepped the boundaries with respect to that title scenario.

Hamilton was upset by Rosberg’s retirement that winter since it deprived him of the opportunity to reclaim his title against the reigning champion. Nevertheless, he did reclaim it in a commanding fashion, achieving four consecutive wins to join Michael Schumacher with seven championships, while simultaneously breaking the German’s record for F1 victories.

It’s easy to fall prey to recent memory bias, but it’s crucial to remember that even after narrowly missing out on the 2021 title and struggling with the new car generation, Hamilton’s overtaking move on Russell during the final Abu Dhabi lap in 2024 demonstrated that he outscored his highly-praised teammate over their three shared seasons.

The benchmarks Hamilton established at Mercedes indicate that statistic represents a resurgence after a period where he was not at his best. He concedes he faced difficulties, particularly as the year progressed with the prospect of a new beginning approaching.

Despite a relationship that often appeared quite close, 2024 presented an entirely new set of challenges for Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images

“The initial meeting with Toto at the start of the year was undoubtedly awkward,” Hamilton noted. “It was uncomfortable right from the start, extending to the day after when I took some team members paintballing, just after they found out. I endured many shots and bruises — people really went in on me that day!

“In the end, I expected it would be challenging, but I severely underestimated the degree of difficulty. It placed a strain on the relationship from the outset and required time for everyone to move past it.

“Personally, it has been an exceptionally emotional year for me, and I recognize I haven’t been at my best in managing those emotions. Many of you have been present throughout my entire career, witnessing my best and worst moments, and I won’t apologize for either, as I’m merely human and I don’t always get it right — I would certainly say this year has been one of the hardest in managing those feelings, and I’ll strive to improve.

“But I hope the positives and the high points significantly outweigh any negatives regarding how I’ve managed or behaved. I aim to remember the good times. I’ve formed incredible bonds.

“Consider it — when you experience a season alongside numerous individuals, not just during those race weekends with all the ups and downs, but also through personal lives — enduring marriages, divorces, losing family members, battling cancer — you are on these journeys together. It’s a truly beautiful journey you share, and with such longevity, the emotions deepen profoundly.”

Those emotions will likely intensify as Hamilton gets ready to step into Maranello soon and embark on an entirely new chapter of his career. Just as Schumacher and Ferrari will always be the unforgettable partnership that overshadows his later years at Mercedes, it will be nearly impossible for Hamilton to achieve anything at the Scuderia that surpasses what he and Mercedes accomplished together.

This truly marks the conclusion of an era — one that might never be replicated.