After the verbal sparring and exchanges of blows in recent weeks, the Mercedes team is now preparing for Lewis Hamilton's farewell race in a great reunion and complete peace.
Toto Wolff spoke out before Abu Dhabi, reflecting on the good times and indicating that Lewis Hamilton might continue with a rival next year, but will always remain a part of the Mercedes family:
“After twelve incredible years, we have reached the point where this weekend Lewis and we will write the final chapter of our shared story. Let’s put our hands on our hearts because this has been no ordinary journey! When we started our collaboration in 2013, we never dreamed of how far we could go together… We won six individual world championships, along with eight constructors' titles. In the meantime, we achieved eighty-four victories, seventy-eight pole positions, one hundred fifty-three podiums, and we have written the most successful driver-team relationship in Formula 1 history. Many successful moments and highlights, countless difficulties that we have experienced together. However, our relationship is much more than statistics; it is a legacy that transcends the sport.
For example, there is our joint effort to make F1 fairer, our common fight for inclusion. We started this together, and it has been a tremendous honor to work with Lewis Hamilton. This weekend will not be just an ordinary race weekend, but a celebration. We will celebrate and close everything I have talked about, say goodbye, and strive to gain momentum and draw strength from this for the future. We are opening a new chapter with the help of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, but now it is more important than ever to beautifully conclude our work with Lewis Hamilton. Thank you, and once again, let’s do it one last time!” - Toto Wolff said an emotional goodbye to the architect of Mercedes' success.
