Mercedes alongside Petronas surprised Lewis Hamilton with a chance to drive three of his previous championship winning chassis’ with the team.
Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO, @sim3744/X, Screenshot)
Lewis Hamilton‘s time with Mercedes is coming to an end in Abu Dhabi. The Briton is looking forward to leaving the team and joining the Maranello-based Ferrari F1 team. Hamilton’s long-time outfit is also working on some massive plans for bidding farewell to him. With the 2024 season finale right around the corner, Brackley surprised the seven-time champion with an awesome opportunity.
Lewis Hamilton has amassed several championships with Mercedes in the past. The Briton had a dominant streak of championship wins from 2014 to 2020 with 2016 being an exception. Hence, amidst Mercedes’ attempts at a mega farewell to the Ferrari-bound driver, the team provided him with an opportunity to drive his previous championship-winning cars.
Mercedes alongside Petronas decided to give Hamilton a chance to drive three of his previous championship-winning chassis’. The Briton sat in the cockpit of the W04, W05, and W09 after a very long time. Moreover, the drive was conducted around the special Silverstone racing circuit. As a result, the 39-year-old was extremely delighted and proud of receiving this opportunity.
🚨| Sir Lewis Hamilton got to drive the W04, W05, and W09 again !!!
Mercedes : ‘As part of our celebrations of Lewis’s time with the team, our Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS organised for him to drive three of his former cars at Silverstone recently.’
Lewis : “i got all… pic.twitter.com/tkgzHckWd8
— sim (@sim3744) December 3, 2024
Lewis Hamilton’s feelings after driving the previous championship-winning cars
The team didn’t exactly reveal the surprise until Lewis Hamilton witnessed the historic chassis at the circuit. Hamilton was unaware of this and was extremely surprised to receive the honor. The Briton described the feeling of driving his first Mercedes chassis of the 2013 season as getting butterflies.
I arrived and saw the signs and then saw the three cars in the garage, so, it was a shock I didn’t realize, I wasn’t prepped to get into a Formula 1 car today. But the feeling was getting into the ’13 car, it really bought back all the memories. I got all these kind of butterflies getting ready to go out.
Lewis Hamilton told Mercedes and Petronas (H&T: @sim3744/X)
Despite the 2024 season being extremely challenging for Hamilton, he enjoyed the season to the fullest. The Briton only has one more race as a Silver Arrow as he will never drive a Mercedes chassis again. Hence, the 39-year-old will take his time getting out of the chassis at the Abu Dhabi GP.