“Mercedes to Honor Fans with Names on Lewis Hamilton’s Car for His Final Race Before Blockbuster Move to Ferrari”
“Mercedes to Honor Fans with Names on Lewis Hamilton’s Car for His Final Race Before Blockbuster Move to Ferrari”
Mercedes is offering fans a unique chance to have their names featured on Lewis Hamilton’s W15 car as he drives his last race for the team in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This will mark the end of Hamilton’s historic partnership with Mercedes, a collaboration that has been instrumental in reshaping Formula 1 history over the past decade. Since joining Mercedes in 2013, Hamilton has clinched six of his record-tying seven World Championships, contributing heavily to Mercedes’ unprecedented dominance, with eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021.
However, Hamilton’s time with Mercedes is coming to a close. With only three races left in the 2024 F1 season, Hamilton will soon make his highly anticipated move to Ferrari—a switch confirmed before the start of the current season. This news, while shocking to some fans, is eagerly awaited, as Hamilton’s legacy continues to grow with a new chapter at Ferrari beginning in 2025.
Mercedes, wanting to celebrate Hamilton’s journey with them, has decided to involve fans in his farewell race. For the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mercedes will select 150 fans who will get to see their names on Hamilton’s W15 car. This special tribute is free to enter; fans can simply go to the Mercedes website to register by providing their name, email, and country of residence. The entry period opened on November 14 at 9:00 GMT and will close on November 26 at 23:59 GMT. Participants must be 18 or older to be eligible.
While Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes will be emotional, his transition to Ferrari will officially begin in 2025, after Mercedes and Ferrari confirmed that there would be no early release for Hamilton to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. This decision means Hamilton will not get a preview of Ferrari machinery this year, as plans are already set for promotional events and farewell engagements with Mercedes in the days following the Abu Dhabi race.
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, is confident that Hamilton’s transition will be smooth despite the lack of an early test. “He is experienced enough to be quick on the first day, or at least very soon,” Vasseur told Motorsport.com, adding that Hamilton’s experience and skill make him an ideal fit, even without extensive preparation. Vasseur mentioned that Ferrari already has testing and preparation days scheduled, with an emphasis on getting Hamilton up to speed quickly. The team is also working on planning and communication strategies for 2025, which Hamilton will be part of, but for now, he is still focused on his remaining commitments with Mercedes.
Although the move to Ferrari will bring new challenges and opportunities, Hamilton’s time with Mercedes has solidified his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats. The impact of his legacy will undoubtedly be felt in both teams, as he brings years of experience and a championship-winning mentality to Ferrari. Fans and the F1 community are already looking forward to the dynamic that Hamilton will bring to Ferrari, hoping he can help them reclaim their place as title contenders.
With only a few races left, Hamilton’s final moments in Mercedes colors are highly anticipated by fans worldwide. The fan initiative by Mercedes is a memorable way to commemorate the end of an era, as Hamilton steps into new territory with Ferrari in 2025, while carrying the admiration and support of fans and colleagues alike.
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