Lewis Hamilton revelled in finishing "on a high" with Mercedes as the seven-time world champion bid an emotional farewell to his Formula One team. (More Sports News)
Hamilton broughওt an end to his 12-year spell with Mercꩲedes after a fourth-placed finish at ;the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 39-year-old, in his final race before joining Ferrari next year, started 16th on the grid bu꧒t produced an impressive performance to end what had been a challenging season.
"It has been probably the l꧒ongest year of my life, knowing from the beginning I was leaving," Hamilton said.
"It's like a relationship that you've told whoever the counterpart is yo🃏u're leaving but you're living together for a year. Lots of ups and downs but we finished on a high.
"We'v𝓀e definitely had ups and downs but what's come through is there has be✤en real love."
Hamilton, who 𝔍finished seventh in the drivers' championship, passed Mercedes team-mate George Russell before climbing out of his car to savour an emotional outing.
"Each moment I have known it was one of the last and iꦬt has been really clear and really hard to let go," Hamilton said.
"When I sඣtopped the car. I wanted to embrace the moment. Representing Mercedes has been the greatest moment𓆏 of my life.
"Just giving thanks, my own spirit for not gi✤ving up, everyone the power to have built that car. I am proud of everyone."
Hamilton triumphed in two races this year, his first wins sinc🌊e 2021, when he lost out on the world title in controversial circumstances to Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Ferrari awaits the F1 great, and soon-to-be colleague Charles Leclerc cannot wait to work with Hamilton, though is sad to lose tea꧒m-mate Carlos Sainz.
"Lewis has achieved so much in the sport and it will be a big motivation," Leclerc said. "For now though, I'm thinking about the past year 💟and the past years I've done with Carlos.
"We have had an amazing relationship. We have🌳 pushed each other. I real✃ly hoped we could finish these four years with the Constructors' Championship.
༒"Obviously now the disappointment is here and I will have four or five days to reset then think about next year."
