Breaking: Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA announcement at Abu Dhabi after…read more
Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official FIA announcement at Abu Dhabi after…read more
Mercedes has made a significant late adjustment to Lewis Hamilton’s car ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as revealed by an official FIA announcement. The Yas Marina Circuit event will mark Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes after an illustrious 12-season collaboration. Starting in 2025, the seven-time world champion will transition to Ferrari, aiming for a record-breaking eighth drivers’ title to cement his place as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history.
As Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes, he hopes to conclude his tenure on a high note. The 2024 season has seen him secure two race wins, at Silverstone and Spa, bringing his career total to an impressive 105 victories. However, this season has been far from smooth for the 39-year-old. Despite the triumphs, Hamilton is currently seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing his younger teammate George Russell, who has consistently outperformed him in qualifying sessions. Russell has bested Hamilton 18 times out of 23 events this year, highlighting a challenging season for the veteran driver.
In preparation for the final race of the season, Mercedes made a noteworthy change to Hamilton’s W15 car. The team opted to run a different gearbox assembly during the first two practice sessions, FP1 and FP2. According to FIA regulations, teams are permitted to use such components outside the restricted-number-components (RNC) allocation up to four times per season without incurring penalties. This marks the third instance in 2024 that Mercedes has implemented this adjustment for Hamilton, ensuring no grid penalties will be applied for the upcoming race.
The decision underscores Mercedes’ commitment to providing Hamilton with every possible advantage in his final outing for the team. After a season marked by struggles and an evident dip in form compared to his peak years, Hamilton will undoubtedly aim to deliver a standout performance at Yas Marina.
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most talked-about stories in the F1 paddock. With the Italian team’s resources and ambition, he hopes to achieve his ultimate goal of surpassing Michael Schumacher’s record and claiming an unprecedented eighth championship. For now, though, Hamilton and his fans will focus on closing this chapter with Mercedes on a positive note.
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