Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA

Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA announcement at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix……read more

official announcement from the FIA has revealed that Mercedes made a late adjustment to Lewis Hamilton’s car ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking his final race with the team. Hamilton, who has enjoyed a highly successful 12-season career with Mercedes, will part ways with the team after this weekend’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit. His departure from Mercedes will pave the way for a new chapter in 2025, as he joins Ferrari, aiming to secure an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 World Championship. If successful, this victory would cement his place as the most successful driver in F1 history.

Hamilton’s Mercedes career has been decorated with numerous successes, including two race victories in 2024, which have taken his total to an impressive 105 wins across his career. However, the 2024 season has been far from his best, with the 39-year-old currently sitting in seventh place in the drivers’ standings. His teammate, George Russell, has had a standout season, frequently outperforming Hamilton, having outqualified the seven-time world champion 18 times out of the 23 races that have taken place this year. This stark contrast in performance has highlighted a noticeable drop in form for Hamilton, as he approaches the final race of his time with Mercedes.

In the lead-up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mercedes made an official change to Hamilton’s W15 car, which was confirmed by an FIA document. The change involved running a different gearbox assembly during the first two practice sessions of the weekend, namely FP1 and FP2. This change was made outside the restricted-number-components (RNC) rule, which is typically in place to limit the number of times certain parts can be changed during a season. This alteration is permitted only four times throughout the season, and with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix being the third time Mercedes has utilized this opportunity for Hamilton’s car in 2024, the team will not face a penalty for the change.

Although Mercedes has had a challenging season, the team is looking to end 2024 on a high note with Hamilton behind the wheel at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents not just a chance to end his tenure with Mercedes on a positive note but also a critical moment in his career, as he moves toward Ferrari, hoping to claim that elusive eighth title. His shift to Ferrari marks a significant change in his career trajectory and will be a crucial part of his quest to further solidify his legacy in Formula 1 history.

While Hamilton has achieved remarkable success with Mercedes, including winning seven world titles, his final season with the team has not lived up to his usual high standards. As he prepares for his last race with Mercedes, Hamilton and his team will be hoping that the adjustments made to his car will give him the performance boost needed to make a strong showing in Abu Dhabi. The change to the gearbox assembly, although not a significant risk in terms of penalties, highlights the team’s attempts to maximize Hamilton’s chances of a strong result as he heads into the final race of his storied career with the team.

In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes is set to take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a significant moment in both his career and the team’s history. Despite a challenging 2024 season, including underperformance relative to his teammate George Russell, Hamilton remains one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history. Mercedes’ decision to make a late change to his car’s gearbox assembly for the weekend’s sessions, without incurring a penalty, is one of the final adjustments made in an attempt to end his tenure with the team on a high. With Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, he will be looking to secure his eighth title and continue to build upon his legacy as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1.