Breaking: Hamilton REMOVES Mercedes farewell tribute from car at Abu Dhabi GP after…read more
Hamilton REMOVES Mercedes farewell tribute from car at Abu Dhabi GP after…read more
Lewis Hamilton has made the decision to have a farewell tribute removed from his Mercedes car ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who has had an incredibly successful partnership with Mercedes, is preparing for his final race with the team. Hamilton’s time at Mercedes has been marked by remarkable dominance, securing six world titles and numerous race victories. However, the sentimental gesture planned for the occasion didn’t sit well with him.
Mercedes had already given Hamilton a special tribute, organizing a memorable experience at Silverstone where he was reunited with his past cars, including the 2013, 2014, and 2018 Mercedes models. The 2014 and 2018 cars were particularly significant, as they were the vehicles that helped Hamilton claim world championships during those seasons.
In addition to this personal gesture, Mercedes planned another tribute for Hamilton ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The team introduced a motivational sticker inside Hamilton’s cockpit, featuring the phrase “Every team needs a dream.” It was placed just beyond the steering wheel lights, at the top of the steering column, a spot that would be directly in Hamilton’s line of sight during his time on track. However, Hamilton decided that it would be a distraction, and he requested that the sticker be removed before he began his preparations for the weekend.
Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz revealed that the sticker had been taken off, noting that it was in a prominent position, right in the eyeline of the driver as he moved from the outside track into the steering wheel and dashboard display. Despite the motivational message, it was deemed to be a potential distraction, especially considering the precision required when driving at such high speeds. Interestingly, the sticker was still left on teammate George Russell’s car, suggesting that the placement didn’t bother Russell in the same way.
The situation sparked some lighthearted commentary from Kravitz, who joked about George Russell’s ongoing rivalry with Max Verstappen. He quipped that Russell might appreciate a different slogan on his car, one that would reflect Verstappen’s tendency to provoke strong reactions from others in the paddock. While it was all in good humor, the moment highlighted the different ways drivers respond to distractions and motivation during their intense race weekends.
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