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Published 14/02/2024 at 13:28 GMT
Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year deal, so he is preparing for one final season with Mercedes. At the launch of their new W15 car, Hamilton spoke of how emotional he has found the last few weeks since the shock news of his move was announced. Hamilton, and his team mate George Russell, were giving the W15 its first run at Silverstone.
‘It’s been emotional’ – Hamilton on ‘surreal’ feeling of entering final season at Mercedes
The seven-time world champion spoke publicly for the first time since the news broke at the launch of Mercedes’ new W15 car.
Hamilton said: “It’s obviously been emotional, it’s very surreal to be here.
“I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, [now] starting my 12th. It is such a privilege to work with a group of people where you see the work they’re doing over the winter.
“You see a car coming together at the beginning of the year, this is the most exciting part of the season really.
“You’re seeing everyone’s launches, this is the first time I’ve seen the car come together as a whole. To know everything underneath the hood, which people won’t get to see, but George [Russell] and I will be able to experience on the track. It’s exciting.”
Hamilton – who will test drive the car with Russell for the first time at Silverstone – is determined to finish his time with Mercedes on a high.
“The focus through winter training is first [place],” he said.
“It’s getting the team back to where we once were. We’ve had a difficult couple of years which has grounded us.
“It’s [about] being diligent with our work, understanding our data and practice. Even one lap in the rain today might give George and I a bit of a feeling of what’s to come.
“I’ve always loved working with the team, particularly when there’s so many people, it’s a huge human element.
“Without those people working so incredibly hard, we wouldn’t get to where we want to be. It’s great when we have a common goal – and we focus on that the whole year. It’s a real privilege.”
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After two years of disappointment – and having to watch Red Bull dominate the sport – Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has promised a “complete relaunch” with the constructor’s new car.
“It’s been a very busy winter, obviously it’s going to be our last season with Lewis,” he said.
“We are keen on bringing a really quick car and then in the factory, hard at work to deliver the product – and today we’ll see how it goes.”
The new F1 season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 2 March.
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