Lewis Hamilton‘s turbulent farewell to Mercedes reached a dramatic low point as the seven-time world champion was eliminated in the first round of qualifying for Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Briton, who is set to join Ferrari next season in a historic move after 11 years with Mercedes, will start the final race of his tenure in 16th place, marking his worst-ever grid position at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Hamilton’s frustration was evident during Saturday’s session, with the usually composed driver unable to mask his disappointment. On team radio, he admitted fault, saying, ‘Yeah, I messed that up big time, guys.’
His long-time race engineer, Peter Bonnington, responded bluntly: ‘Yeah, sorry about that Lewis, that was a big bs-up.’ Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff added his candid reaction, saying, ‘Yeah, Lewis, that was bad.’
Broadcast footage revealed that Kevin Magnussen’s Haas struck a bollard, sending it into the path of Lewis Hamilton’s car. The bollard became lodged underneath Hamilton’s vehicle, remaining there during his final flying lap.
This incident likely compromised Hamilton’s performance in the last two corners, and he narrowly missed progressing to Q2 by a margin of just 0.093 seconds.
Lewis Hamilton has been eliminated during the first round of qualifying for this final race in a Mercedes at Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The seven-time world champion was keen to leave his constructor of 11 years on a high before making the seismic shift to rivals Ferrari next season
As a result, Hamilton is set to start Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 16th place as penalties applied to Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon moved him up two spots on the starting grid.
The result reflects a difficult year for Hamilton, who has faced various setbacks, both on and off the track. Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi race weekend, he acknowledged the emotional toll of the 2024 campaign.
‘It’s been a very emotional year for me,’ Hamilton shared during the drivers’ pre-race press conference. ‘You’ve seen the best of me and the worst of me, but I’m not going to apologise as I’m human.’
Hamilton’s struggles in Abu Dhabi follow a disastrous outing at the Qatar Grand Prix, where race control issues compounded his difficulties. A wing mirror left on the track caused chaos, puncturing Hamilton’s tyre and that of Carlos Sainz.
Race control had been aware of the debris but delayed action, leaving Hamilton to limp to the pit lane and lose several positions. Later, a pit lane speeding penalty dropped him to last, ultimately leading to his retirement from the race.
Hamilton wasn’t alone in his frustrations. Lando Norris, initially a contender for a podium spot, also endured a challenging day with penalties that pushed him out of the top 10.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen secured yet another victory, extending his dominance in the championship, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium.
Mercedes’ woes this season haven’t been limited to Hamilton. The team has faced operational errors and performance struggles, with George Russell also encountering difficulties in Qatar, including a slow pit stop and mid-race setbacks.
George Russell (front) Hamilton leave the pit lane during the qualifying for the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Despite occasional flashes of competitiveness, Mercedes has fallen short of its high standards, leaving both drivers visibly frustrated.
In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton’s early exit in qualifying epitomizes the struggles he has faced in his final campaign with the team. As he prepares for a new chapter with Ferrari, the Briton’s farewell to Mercedes has been far from the victorious send-off he had hoped for.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks one of the most significant transfers in Formula 1 history. The Briton joins a team eager to reclaim its former glory, partnering with Charles Leclerc to form a formidable driver pairing. For Hamilton, the switch represents a fresh challenge and an opportunity to reset after a challenging season.
As the curtain falls on Hamilton’s time with Mercedes, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will serve as a poignant, if difficult, farewell. Starting from the back of the grid, he faces a monumental task to salvage a memorable finish.
While his final race in silver may not be the storybook ending fans had hoped for, Hamilton’s legacy with Mercedes remains unmatched, defined by championship glory and a partnership that reshaped Formula 1 history.
