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“I Couldn’t Control It Then”: Lewis Hamilton Reveals Getting Emotional After Teammates Got Together for Him One Last Time

Somin Bhattacharjee
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Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team gestures arriving in the paddock, Qualifying, F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

Lewis Hamilton’s final Mercedes race will be an emotional affair for every single person associated with the Brackley-based outfit. It has been Hamilton’s home for around 12 years and together, they have achieved unparalleled success. Sadly, this farewell weekend in Abu Dhabi isn’t going according to plan, with Hamilton set to start from the back of the grid.

Mercedes’ employees, however, are making this finale all about him. They all got together in the paddock on Saturday, doing something ‘special’ (but unknown to the public) for Hamilton. The seven-time world champion also reciprocated, creating a teary atmosphere within the stable.

“Yeah. On Thursday, they all got together in the paddock club and I couldn’t control it then,” Hamilton told journalist Lawrence Barretto ahead of the race.

He then realized that he would have to face them all again once the Abu Dhabi GP got over, and then again at the factory. “This week when I go back to the factory to see everybody to say my last goodbye so,” he added. “But, anyway, right now, focus is on this – I’m not going to let you get me teary man.” On this, Barretto apologized.

Mercedes has been a significant part of Hamilton’s journey, even before he became an F1 driver. They played a key role in securing him a seat at McLaren and, in 2013, brought him on board as part of their ambitious plan to dominate the sport. 11 years later, Hamilton is set to depart as a seven-time world champion, with six of those titles won with the Silver Arrows.

Not the fairytale weekend Hamilton would have wanted

Hamilton would have wanted to be on the podium, if not get a win, at the very least on Sunday. But with how things went in qualifying, it looks unlikely.

His final Q3 flying lap began at an unfavorable time, and a bollard stuck to his W15 limited his performance. As a result, he could only muster up a time good enough for P18. Hamilton was distraught, and Toto Wolff was apologetic that he couldn’t send off his star driver on a high.

“You don’t risk so much in a Q1 when we had the pace to make it out of the session. The most valuable driver for the team and the sport is out in Q1. I can only say sorry to him,” the Mercedes Team Principal said.

At the same time, it could end up being a memorable outing for Hamilton, as the stage is set for a miraculous comeback drive. For sure, it would be remembered in F1 folklore for generations to come.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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