Thank You, Lewis
We began the week in Abu Dhabi with a simple message: Thank You, Lewis.
Thank you for the memories over the past 12 years and thank you for everything you’ve done for the Silver Arrows.
Magic Moments, Hammertime and the End of an Era:The Story of Our Abu Dhabi GP
Magic Moments, Hammertime and the End of an Era:
The Story of Our Abu Dhabi GP9 December 2024
8 Min Read
As the Yas Marina Circuit drew the curtain on the 2024 Formula 1 season, so too did it provide the backdrop to mark the end of our era-defining partnership with Lewis.
246 races, 84 wins, 78 pole positions, 153 podium finishes, eight World Constructors’ Championships and six World Drivers’ Championships later, the longest, most successful team-driver partnership came to a close – and in some style!
A P4 and P5 finish for Lewis and George marked a solid return for the 24th and final race of the season.
Here’s how our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix unfolded.
Fighting Back!
Qualifying did not go to plan – George fought admirably but could only manage P7, while Lewis was out in Q1 in P18 after struggles with traffic and out-lap preparations.
Undeterred for the race and with some first-lap chaos to assist, Lewis made fine work carving through the grid, eventually up into fifth position behind George, before a superb overtake round the outside of Turn 9 on the final lap brought him into fourth.
Not the 154th podium he would have liked, but it was a vintage Lewis drive.
‘It’s Hammertime’
While the racing on track from our duo was a fitting end to the season, the messages and tributes over the airwaves drew as much, if not more, attention.
Here’s just a flavour of the team radio:
Bono: “OK Lewis, we’ll go strat mode five, and it’s hammertime!”
Bono: “And that’s the end of an era. Got to say, mate, it’s been epic working with you.”
Toto: “Lewis that was the drive of a world champion. That was the drive of a world champion. Amazing.”
Bono: “Good man, stellar job today bud. It’s been a pleasure all the way.”
Lewis: “The pleasure’s all been mine. Yeah, Bono, we dreamed alone but together we believed. Thank you for all the courage, determination and the passion, and for seeing me and supporting me. What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. We did everything together and I am so, so grateful to everyone both here and back at the factory. From the bottom of my heart, all the best.”
Lewis: “I love you guys. I really, really do.”
Toto: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of this family. And if we can’t win, you should win.”
‘It’s going to be an emotional week’
As the dust settled on the track, the tributes and special moments continued off it.
The team, forever present, whether at the track or back at the Brackley and Brixworth factories, paid tribute to Lewis by signing his helmet from his final race with Mercedes and presented it to him.
You’re right, Lewis, it’s going to be an emotional week!
You’ll Always Be a Part of Our Family, Lewis
While his last race for the team has been run, there is nothing that can take away from what’s been achieved between Lewis and the Silver Arrows.
And who better to share a special moment with than someone who’s been there through it all – the highs, the lows and everything in between?
Toto and Lewis, for one final post-race embrace
‘If We Can’t Win, You Should Win’
The farewell continues post-Abu Dhabi, but we just want to say that whatever comes in the future we wish you all the very best with our competitors in red and as Toto said, you’ll always be a part of this family.
Thank you, Lewis.