Russell Praises Hamilton's Abu Dhabi Drive: "He Deserved to Bea....

Russell Praises Hamilton’s Abu Dhabi Drive: “He Deserved to Beat Me”

George Russell may have out-qualified his iconic teammate once again in Abu Dhabi, but the final race of the Formula 1 season saw Lewis Hamilton deliver a vintage performance to claim fourth place. The seven-time world champion executed a brilliant late-race overtake, sealing the result on the final lap after starting from 16th on the grid.

The two Mercedes drivers battled fiercely in the closing stages, with Hamilton pulling off a stunning move on the outside of Turn 9 before sneaking ahead at Turn 10. His alternate strategy and sheer pace in the latter half of the race proved decisive, allowing him to overcome earlier misfortune in qualifying and cap off his final race with Mercedes in style.

Russell, who finished fifth, acknowledged his teammate’s superior performance over the weekend. “Lewis drove an amazing race,” he admitted. “He’s been quicker than me all weekend and deservedly finished ahead. I didn’t have the pace from the start, and today just confirmed what we expected. But you can’t be on top form every weekend.”

The Briton reflected on his own struggles, describing the event as one of the most challenging weekends of his season. “On a personal level, this has probably been the toughest race weekend of the year,” Russell explained. “But we’ve had so many great moments throughout the season that you have to take the highs and lows in stride.”

A Clean Race Amid Chaos

While Mercedes lacked the outright pace to challenge the podium finishers in Abu Dhabi, the team managed to avoid the chaotic incidents that plagued other competitors. The Yas Marina Circuit witnessed numerous collisions, spins, and penalties, making the race a dramatic finale to the season.

Despite the turmoil around them, Hamilton and Russell executed disciplined races, maximizing their performance to secure solid finishes. “We didn’t have the car to fight at the front, but we kept it clean,” said Russell. “That’s the most important thing when others are making mistakes.”

Hamilton’s Final Race for Mercedes

For Hamilton, the result marked a bittersweet end to his time with Mercedes. The Briton has been a cornerstone of the team’s success in recent years, and his Abu Dhabi performance was a reminder of his enduring skill and racecraft. Starting from P16 after a challenging qualifying session, Hamilton opted for an alternate strategy that left him with plenty of work in the closing laps. His determination paid off, as he overtook his teammate in a nail-biting finish.

Russell was quick to pay tribute to his illustrious teammate. “Lewis’s performance shows why he’s a seven-time world champion. It’s been an honor racing alongside him, and I’ve learned so much this season,” he said.

Mercedes Looks Ahead

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may not have delivered a podium for Mercedes, but the team can take solace in their clean execution and solid teamwork. While their car lacked the speed of their rivals, Hamilton and Russell extracted the maximum possible result in a race where chaos reigned elsewhere.

As the season ends, Mercedes faces the challenge of regaining their competitiveness for next year. Russell, reflecting on both the highs and lows of his season, emphasized the importance of consistency and growth. “We’ve had great weekends and tough ones, but that’s racing,” he said. “We’ll come back stronger.”

Hamilton’s final act as a Mercedes driver was a fitting farewell, demonstrating his legendary racecraft and resilience. For Russell, the race served as a reminder of the high standards he will aim to match as the team moves forward into a new era.