Lewis Hamilton admits he “grossly underestimated” his last yr at Mercedes after asserting he would be a part of Ferrari in 2025 and that he did not all the time deal with his feelings in the easiest way.
Hamilton will race for the Silver Arrows for the 246th and last time at this weekend’s F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, marking the ultimate chapter within the staff’s relationship with the driving force that has rewritten the story of the previous 12 years. sport document.
However because the seven-time champion prepares to finish a troublesome season and appears on monitor for his worst championship end in F1, a reflective Hamilton recounts the previous 11 months since information of his transfer to Ferrari was made public stress and feelings.
“The primary assembly with Toto [Wolff] In fact, it was an ungainly race at the beginning of the yr, so it was awkward from the beginning,” Hamilton mentioned at his drivers’ press convention on Thursday.
“They simply discovered the subsequent day once I was at some staff paintball competitors. So there have been numerous moments all year long. I acquired shot at rather a lot by folks, had numerous bruises. Individuals attacked me. sky.
“I anticipated it to be troublesome, however vastly underestimated how troublesome it might be. It strained relations very early on, and it’ll take time for folks to recover from it.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Watch a two-part particular on Sky Sports activities this weekend celebrating seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s unimaginable journey with Mercedes!
“For myself, it has been a really emotional yr for me, and I do not assume I have been in the most effective place to course of and cope with these feelings.
“A whole lot of you’ve gotten been right here my complete profession, so I believe a few of you’ve gotten seen me at my worst and you’ve got seen me at my greatest.
“I am not going to apologize for both of these issues as a result of I am solely human and I do not all the time get it proper. I’ll positively say this yr has been one of many worst years I’ve ever needed to cope with this and I will attempt to do the most effective higher.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Sky Sports activities appears to be like again at Lewis Hamilton’s most enjoyable moments for Mercedes forward of his last race in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton mentioned it is going to finally be the sheer magnitude of their achievements collectively and the energy of the relationships constructed inside the staff that may stand the take a look at of time.
He added: “I hope the nice and the highs from the best way I dealt with or acted far outweigh the unhealthy.”
“Like I mentioned, bear in mind the nice occasions. I’ve constructed some unimaginable relationships. For those who think about if you undergo a season with so many individuals, not solely on these race weekends but in addition The highs and lows are collectively, however of their private lives, by way of marriage, by way of divorce, by way of the lack of members of the family, by way of most cancers, by way of numerous – you are going by way of these journeys with these folks.
“So, it is such a stupendous journey that you simply go on collectively, being there for thus lengthy and having such deep feelings.”
Keep tuned for extra content material…
Sky Sports activities F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stay schedule
Friday, December 6
5.45am: F1 Academy Apply
7 a.m.: F2 apply
9am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix apply one (race begins at 9.30am)*
10.55am: F2 Qualifying
12.45pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix apply two (begins at 1pm)*
2.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*
3.15pm: F1 Present*
Saturday, December 7
8.10am: F1 Academy first race
10.15am: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix apply three (begins at 10.30am)
12.10pm: F2 Dash Race
1.15pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying preparations
2pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying*
4pm: F1 Academy: Race 2
5pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, December 8
7.10am: F1 Academy Race 3
9.20am: F2 Particular Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preparations
1pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
3pm: Checkered Flag: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Reactions
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Method 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – stay on Sky Sports activities F1, Sunday at 1pm. Get Sky Sports F1 or live stream with NOW
