Lewis Hamilton reveals 'surreal' atmosphere ahead of the final season at Mercedes
LEWIS HAMILTON says he is determined to end his time at Mercedes with a bang and believes he is fitter and hungrier than ever.
Hamilton surprised F1 by announcing that he would leave Mercedes after eleven years to join Ferrari in 2025.
4
4
He broke the shock news to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over breakfast at the Austrian's Oxford home last month.
Hamilton, 39, will now end his contract with Mercedes and says he is still committed to helping them get back on the top step of the podium.
He said: “I feel the most motivated and focused I have ever been. Every year you come back and you think, 'I'm fitter than ever' and all these things.
“However, I really feel like I've put more work, more time and more focus into preparing for this year.
'I never thought I would be as hungry at this point in my life as I am now.
And to finish at the top with the team would be a dream.
“We've been through a lot together, so to end on a high would be the greatest honor and help them get back to the top.”
Hamilton said at Silverstone ahead of the team's shakedown with teammate George Russell: 'It was obviously emotional.
FREE BETTS – BEST BETTS & BONUSES FOR NEW CUSTOMERS
“It's very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, this is the start of my 12th.
“The focus throughout winter training is to get the team back to where we once were.
“We have had a number of difficult years, which have really formed a basis for us.
“It's a privilege to work with people and see the work they are doing this winter.
“This is the most exciting part of the year. To know everything under the hood, what George and I will be able to experience on the track. It's exciting.”
Meanwhile, Wolff says his team has “a mountain to climb” after winning just once in the past two years.
After designing two blind cars, Wolff is now hopeful that their latest creation will put them back on the top step of the podium.
He added: “We know we have a mountain to climb to fight right at the front. There are no miracles in this sport.
“But our ambition and determination are strong. Since we set out this new course, development has made good progress.
“We had several items on our priority list for this car. We will soon see whether we have taken the step we had in mind.
'As the saying goes, if it stings, it sticks. I believe that the last two years have been necessary to adjust, recalibrate and reinvent ourselves in certain areas.
“That carrot-and-branch approach is never easy. But we have made progress and look forward to taking the next step next one step with the W15.
“It won't be a linear path, but if we stumble, we will get back up and keep climbing.”
4