Hamilton Unveils Mercedes’ 2024 F1 Car: Emotional Moment

Lewis Hamilton shared his emotional response to participating in his last car launch with Mercedes on Wednesday, ahead of his departure at the end of the 2024 season for a remarkable move to Ferrari. The 39-year-old, a seven-time Formula One champion, had extended his contract with Mercedes in August for two more years in a deal valued at £100 million ($126 million). However, the allure of racing for Ferrari in their iconic red proved irresistible for Hamilton, leading him to utilize a break clause in his contract for the switch.

During his first public appearance since the announcement of his move to Ferrari, Hamilton expressed the mix of emotions he has been feeling, emphasizing his winter training focus on returning the team to its former glory after a challenging few years. These difficulties, he noted, have been a humbling experience, aiding the team in reassessing and regrouping.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, acknowledged the significance of the upcoming season being Hamilton’s last with the team, highlighting the effort put into developing a competitive car for his final year. Since joining Mercedes from McLaren in 2013, Hamilton has achieved six of his seven world titles with the team, although recent seasons have seen him fall behind his Red Bull rival, Max Verstappen.

The announcement of his departure cast a poignant mood over the car launch at Mercedes’ Northamptonshire headquarters, where Hamilton fielded a few questions during the event. Reflecting on his tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton expressed gratitude for the experience and the excitement of seeing the team’s efforts materialize into the new car each season.

Hamilton, who hasn’t won a race in the past two years, and his teammate George Russell are set to test the latest Mercedes car in a preliminary trial at a rain-soaked Silverstone. Despite the inclement weather, Hamilton stressed the importance of making the most of the practice session, indicating that even a single lap in the rain could provide valuable insights into the car’s performance.