Lewis Hamilton concluded his storied career with Mercedes through a dramatic overtaking maneuver and a touching farewell to the team where he secured six of his seven Formula 1 championships.

As he communicated with his race engineer Peter Bonnington and team principal Toto Wolff, he remarked, “We dreamed alone but together, we believed.”

He expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for all the courage, the determination, and the passion for supporting me. What began as a leap of faith has transformed into a journey that has made history.”

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025 after spending 12 successful years at Mercedes, winning nearly all of his championships except one.

This collaboration stands as the most accomplished driver-team relationship in Formula 1 history. Hamilton’s Mercedes tenure came to a close with a final lap pass on teammate George Russell, securing fourth place.

Following the race, Hamilton celebrated by performing “donuts” in front of the cheering crowd before stepping out of his car for the last time, offering a double thumbs-up to the chants of his name.

He then took a moment to kneel beside his Mercedes and fondly pat the car, a gesture of appreciation for the years shared.

As he transitions to Ferrari, Hamilton, who will be celebrating his 40th birthday next month, remains focused on capturing that elusive eighth world title.

This goal was something he nearly achieved in 2021, when a last-lap maneuver by Max Verstappen during a safety-car restart in Abu Dhabi led to a highly controversial outcome, leaving many still discussing it as one of F1’s most contentious moments.

It’s been almost ten months since Hamilton announced his move, and he has openly acknowledged that the anticipation surrounding his departure has put a strain on his relationships within the Mercedes team.

In his final race with Mercedes, Hamilton started from 16th on the grid after struggling in qualifying, which prompted an apology from Wolff.

Although he managed to climb to 12th place early in the race, he struggled to gain further positions. “I’ve got no pace, mate,” he communicated over the radio, indicating that his recent streak of misfortunes seemed likely to continue, casting a shadow over his farewell.

However, fortune began to favor him as the race progressed. The team’s decision to start on the more durable hard tires and switch to the quicker medium compound toward the end bore fruit, allowing Hamilton to advance through the ranks as his competitors made pit stops.

There was even a moment when a podium finish looked possible, but in the end, Hamilton had to settle for overtaking Russell on the final lap.

Regardless, Wolff praised Hamilton’s performance, stating, “That was the drive of a world champion.”