Breaking news:Lewis Hamilton Asks for Mercedes Farewell Tribute Sticker to Be Removed at…….read more
Lewis Hamilton Asks for Mercedes Farewell Tribute Sticker to Be Removed at…….read more
As Lewis Hamilton prepares for his final race with Mercedes at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s departure from the team is filled with tributes and moments of reflection. After a period of dominance and a remarkable six world titles with the German automaker, Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era for both the driver and the team.
Over the years, Hamilton has been an iconic figure in Mercedes’ success, contributing to the team’s continued dominance in F1. As the team bids him farewell, they have taken the opportunity to honor his career with various gestures. One of the most touching tributes came earlier this season when Mercedes arranged for Hamilton to experience a special outing in some of the classic cars that helped propel him to victory. The 39-year-old driver revisited his iconic 2013, 2014, and 2018 Mercedes cars at Silverstone, each a part of his journey to world championship glory. The opportunity to drive these machines once again offered Hamilton a nostalgic look back at the pivotal moments of his career.
As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend began, Mercedes wanted to offer another tribute to Hamilton, with a special touch added to his car for the final race. The team decided to place an inspirational sticker in his cockpit, meant to reflect the spirit of the team and Hamilton’s incredible legacy with them. The message on the sticker read, “Every team needs a dream,” a sentiment intended to honor the shared vision and success between Hamilton and Mercedes.
However, during the Free Practice 3 (FP3) session on the Friday of the race weekend, Hamilton made a surprising request to have the sticker removed. The decision was revealed by Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, who noted that the tribute had been taken off at Hamilton’s request. The sticker had been positioned on the bulkhead of Hamilton’s cockpit, just beyond the steering wheel lights and the top of the steering wheel. For the 2024 season, Mercedes had made modifications to their car, including a change to the front bulkhead that meant the car no longer had a traditional windscreen. This change in design led to the placement of the tribute sticker in a location that Hamilton found distracting, as it was positioned directly in his line of sight when he was transitioning from the track to the steering wheel and dashboard displays.
Despite the tribute’s thoughtful intentions, Hamilton’s focus and driving performance were likely a priority, and the sticker was removed to avoid any potential distraction. Mercedes’ teammate, George Russell, still had the sticker on his car, as the design of his vehicle had not undergone the same changes. While the sticker was still in place on Russell’s car, Hamilton’s request to remove it highlighted his desire for concentration during a pivotal weekend in his career.
While it may seem like a small gesture, Hamilton’s decision to remove the tribute is a reflection of the intense focus and dedication that has defined his F1 career. It also shows that, despite the emotional weight of his departure from Mercedes, Hamilton’s priority remained on performing to the best of his ability in his final race with the team.
In a lighthearted moment during the coverage, Kravitz joked about Russell’s ongoing rivalry with Max Verstappen, suggesting that Russell may have had no issue with the tribute sticker, given that he wasn’t distracted by it. He humorously remarked that the sticker on Russell’s car could be changed to read, “Every action that happens needs somebody to get angry about it if it’s Max Verstappen,” referencing the tension between Russell and the reigning world champion.
The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents a significant milestone for both Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. After a decade of unparalleled success, the seven-time world champion will be moving on to new challenges. Mercedes has already given Hamilton several fitting tributes, including his opportunity to revisit his historic cars, but the decision to remove the farewell sticker underscores the driver’s singular focus on the race ahead. With his departure marking the end of one of F1’s most successful partnerships, Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes is sure to be filled with more emotional tributes and moments of reflection from both the driver and his team.
As the season draws to a close, Hamilton’s legacy with Mercedes remains intact, having contributed to the team’s dominance in the hybrid era of F1 and inspiring countless fans with his determination, skill, and achievements. His final race in Abu Dhabi is expected to be a poignant moment in F1 history, as the sport bids farewell to one of its greatest-ever drivers.
About The Author
