System 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 laborious his lengthy goodbye to Mercedes can be forward of an emotional remaining race for the crew in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The 39-year-old seven-times world champion surprised System 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 yr.
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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 instructed reporters at Yas Marina the transition had not been straightforward.
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton faces emotional finish to ‘wonderful’ Mercedes
“I anticipated it will be troublesome, however massively underestimated how troublesome it will 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 yr for me.
“And I feel I’ve not been at my greatest in dealing with and coping with these feelings.”
READ: F1: Lewis Hamilton effective with Ferrari take a look at wait
The winner of a document 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 underneath his belt.
Hamilton mentioned in Qatar final weekend he had “nonetheless bought 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 may not full the season.
HAMILTON SET FOR EMOTIONAL FINAL GRAND PRIX FOR MERCEDES
System 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 feel 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 all the time get it proper,” he mentioned in Abu Dhabi.
“I might undoubtedly would say this yr’s been one of many worst when it comes to dealing with that from my aspect, which I’ll work on attempting 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 gained 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 crew.
His achievements, as the one Black driver on the beginning grid, additionally embody reworking Mercedes – and by extension the game – right into a extra racially numerous and welcoming surroundings.
Ferrari, the crew that took Michael Schumacher to 5 of his seven titles, will likely be his third crew since his 2007 debut with McLaren.
“I’m not taking a look at evaluating myself to Michael. Not taking a look at that,” mentioned the Briton. “In the meanwhile, that’s not one thing that I’m serious about.
“I’m attempting to consider ensuring that I end off the appropriate approach and one of the best ways attainable with Mercedes. These subsequent days are going to be super-emotional.”