F1 News
Wolff's farewell message to Hamilton: 'Always will be part of our family'
An emotional Lewis Hamilton could be heard following the Abu Dhabi GP. Over the team radio, the seven-time world champion talked to Peter Bonnington 'Bono' and Toto Wolff, looking back at what they could achieve together in the competition.
Lewis Hamilton has finished in fourth position at the Yas Marina Circuit, after starting from P16 on the grid. The Briton could not hold his emotions back, after completing his final weekend for Mercedes, having spent more than a decade with the team.
"Nice work, Lewis. That's P4, mate. And that's the end of an era. Got to say, mate, it's been epic working with you," race engineer Peter Bonnington jumped on the radio after Hamilton crossed the finish line. Team principal Toto Wolff immediately followed, saying that was "the drive of a world champion."
'Bono' continued: "Stellar job today, bud. It's been a pleasure all the way."
Hamilton could not hold his tears back driving his last miles in a Mercedes car. "The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone, but together we believed. As a team, we achieved things that only... Thank you for all the courage, determination, and the passion for seeing me and supporting me. What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. So we did everything together and I'm so, so grateful to everyone here to the factory from the bottom of my heart. All the best!"
'Bono' then thanked his driver once again, and wished him good luck. Hamilton answered: "I love you guys." Wolff then once again joined the conversation: "We love you too and you're always going to be part of that family, and if we can't win you should win."
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