Just in:Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official….read more
Mercedes make LATE Hamilton change in official….read more
Mercedes have made a late change to Lewis Hamilton’s car ahead of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to an official FIA announcement. This modification comes at a pivotal moment for Hamilton, who is set to compete in his final race with Mercedes at the Yas Marina Circuit. After a successful 12-season partnership, the seven-time world champion will be moving to Ferrari in 2025. His goal is to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship, which would cement his place as the most successful driver in Formula 1 history.
The announcement about the car change has drawn attention, as it reflects Mercedes’ final preparations for Hamilton’s swan song with the team. While the 2024 season has not been as successful as Hamilton had hoped, the Briton has had moments of glory, including two race wins at Silverstone and Spa. These victories brought his career tally to an impressive 105, solidifying his legacy in the sport. However, the season overall has been disappointing for Hamilton, with the driver currently sitting in seventh place in the drivers’ championship standings.
Adding to his frustrations, Hamilton has been consistently outperformed by his teammate, George Russell. In the 23 races so far this season, Russell has outqualified Hamilton 18 times. This represents a significant drop-off in form for the 39-year-old driver, who has long been regarded as one of the best in the sport. Hamilton’s struggles have led to speculation about his future, but he remains determined to end his tenure at Mercedes on a high note, hoping to produce a strong performance at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The late change to Hamilton’s car involves a different gearbox assembly, which Mercedes used for the first two practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This is a crucial update as Formula 1 regulations permit teams to use components outside of the restricted-number components (RNC) system only four times per season. The change Mercedes made marks the third occasion in 2024 where the team has opted for a non-RNC gearbox assembly. As a result, Hamilton will not incur any penalties for the modification, as the team has stayed within the allowed limit for such changes.
The decision to use a different gearbox assembly highlights the team’s ongoing efforts to give Hamilton every possible advantage in his final race for Mercedes. Despite the challenges of the season, Mercedes is committed to providing Hamilton with the best possible equipment to secure a strong finish. This is in line with the team’s usual approach, ensuring that they put in maximum effort to extract the best performance from their cars and drivers, especially when it comes to high-profile events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Hamilton as he attempts to end his Mercedes career on a high note at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has often been a dramatic and thrilling race, and with Hamilton looking to sign off in style, there is added intrigue around his final outing for the team. It remains to be seen whether he can mount a challenge for a podium finish in a season where the competition has been fierce, but given his experience and skill, few would count him out of contention.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 marks the end of an era at Mercedes. The partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes has been one of the most successful in F1 history, producing multiple championships and race victories. Hamilton’s decision to leave the team and join Ferrari comes with the hope of winning that elusive eighth world title, a goal that would elevate him above current record-holder Michael Schumacher. For now, though, his focus is firmly on securing the best possible result in Abu Dhabi, aiming to finish his Mercedes career with a flourish and give the team and its fans one final reason to celebrate.
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