Hamilton's STUNNING Mercedes

Hamilton’s STUNNING Mercedes exit as star makes shock podium .,..read more

The season finale of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi was an exciting and chaotic event, full of surprises, with a mix of on-track drama and off-track stories that captured the attention of fans worldwide. The race saw McLaren’s Lando Norris take the victory, securing the team their first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998. However, amid the celebrations and controversies, several moments might have gone unnoticed by many.

One of the most significant and emotional moments of the weekend was Lewis Hamilton’s last race for Mercedes. After an eventful season, the seven-time world champion’s departure from the Silver Arrows marked the end of an era. Although Hamilton ultimately missed out on a podium finish, crossing the line in P4 after a difficult qualifying session, his performance was still impressive. He had started the race far down the grid after being caught up in a bollard during qualifying, yet he showed his resilience and racecraft on Sunday by fighting his way through the field.

Even though Hamilton failed to secure a place on the podium, his post-race celebrations made headlines. The Mercedes driver performed doughnuts on the starting grid, putting on a show for the fans who had come to say goodbye. However, this wasn’t an impromptu display of celebration. The FIA had actually arranged a designated ‘celebratory doughnuts area’ on the grid for Hamilton to perform his burnout routine. This special spot was situated next to the top three finishers of the race, and it ensured the post-race moments went off smoothly, adding a touch of drama to Hamilton’s farewell from the Mercedes team.

While Hamilton was stealing the spotlight, his teammate George Russell also had an interesting end to the race. The young British driver finished just behind Hamilton in P5, but in a surprising twist, Russell made an unexpected appearance on the Abu Dhabi podium. However, this wasn’t due to his race result. Russell’s presence on the podium was part of the filming for the upcoming Formula 1 movie, which is set to be released in June 2025. Russell joined Hollywood star Brad Pitt, who plays Sonny Hayes, the lead character, on the top step of the podium. The other driver featured in the scene was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who also stood on the fake podium.

While many might have thought Russell’s appearance was linked to his performance in the race, it was all part of the production of the F1 movie, which has been filmed throughout the season. Brad Pitt, who has been involved in the movie, was also seen on the grid before the race, where he was interviewed by popular F1 reporter Ted Kravitz. During the interview, Pitt revealed that filming for the movie was coming to an end, with Abu Dhabi being the location for the final scenes. The actor spoke candidly about the emotional experience of being involved in the production, stating that he might shed a tear as they wrapped up filming.

Pitt also gave Kravitz a detailed tour of the car he has been driving throughout the production, showing the technology and camera setup that were used to film the movie’s high-speed sequences. At one point, Pitt playfully asked Kravitz if he wanted to make a cameo in the movie, but Kravitz, ever modest, turned down the offer, explaining that he was perfectly content with his current role as an F1 reporter. The interview provided a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes world of movie-making and the exciting collaboration between the entertainment industry and Formula 1.

For fans eagerly awaiting the release of the F1 movie, the excitement continued to build as Pitt teased more details about the project. The film, set to release on June 25, 2025, promises to be a major event in the world of motorsport cinema. With the involvement of real F1 stars and the authenticity of the on-track action, the movie is expected to attract a massive audience, bridging the gap between F1’s passionate fanbase and Hollywood’s vast reach.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend may have been full of thrilling moments on track, but the off-track developments, including Hamilton’s emotional farewell from Mercedes and the ongoing production of the F1 movie, added an extra layer of excitement to the season finale. As the curtain fell on the 2024 season, it was clear that Formula 1 continues to evolve, blending the thrill of racing with the glamour of Hollywood and setting the stage for an even bigger future.