Top Moments from Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Career as Partnership Ends

Lewis Hamilton has completed his final race for Mercedes, concluding a 12-year collaboration that resulted in six drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships. His victory at this year’s British Grand Prix marked his first Formula 1 win in two and a half years. Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari in 2025, achieved 84 of his record 105 Formula 1 race victories and 78 of his 104 pole positions while with the Mercedes team. Readers were invited to select their preferred Hamilton-Mercedes moment from a list of nine options. While the complete results are available elsewhere, the following represent the top three selections, as summarized by the statement: ‘A bittersweet ending but achievements remain indelible’. One of the chosen moments occurred during the 2020 British Grand Prix, held without spectators at Silverstone due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hamilton experienced a front-left tyre failure midway through the final lap. With Max Verstappen in pursuit in second place, ‘Bono’ relayed the diminishing gap to the Dutch driver via team radio until the chequered flag. Hamilton described it as “The most dramatic ending I can remember.” Another highlight was the 2024 British Grand Prix, which saw Hamilton end a two-and-a-half-year period without a race win. He started second on the grid and successfully fended off both Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris in a race affected by varying weather conditions. This secured his 104th career victory and his ninth win at Silverstone, establishing him as the record-holder for the most F1 wins at a single circuit. He commented, “This one means so much to me.” The 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix was also among the top selections, a weekend characterized by significant drama. This included grid penalties and a disqualification from qualifying due to a rear-wing infringement. Despite starting last in the Saturday sprint race, Hamilton advanced to finish fifth. An additional penalty meant he began the Sunday grand prix from 10th position, yet he managed to overtake his title rival Max Verstappen with 12 laps remaining after an intense contest, securing what is considered one of his most significant victories.