As the twilight settled over Yas Marina and Formula 1’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, an emotional Lewis Hamilton delivered one final masterclass behind the wheel of a Mercedes.
But amid the drama of the Briton’s remarkable charge from 16th to 4th, it was a single phrase over the radio – "It’s Hammer Time" – that cut through the intensity of the race and left Hamilton reflecting on the enormity of the moment.
For the seven-time world champion, those three words were more than a call to push by his longtime race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington; they were a poignant reminder that his extraordinary 12-year journey with Mercedes had reached its final lap.
Hamilton was faced with an uphill battle from the outset in at Yas Marina after a clumsy Q1 session on Saturday, marred by traffic and a minor mistake clipping a bollard, saw him fail to progress beyond the first part of qualifying.
It was a rare blemish for a driver of his caliber and particularly poignant, as it marked his last-ever qualifying session in Mercedes colors. “It wasn’t the way I wanted to start my final weekend with the team,” Hamilton admitted.
Yet, in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton embodied the resilience that has defined his storied career. Opting for an unconventional hard-to-medium tyre strategy, he clawed his way through the field with a mix of clinical overtakes and unrelenting pace.
His crowning moment came on the final lap when he bridged a 14-second gap and swept around the outside of Turn 9 to overtake teammate George Russell, sealing a fourth-place finish in style.
But for Hamilton, the most emotional moment of the day came mid-race when Bono delivered the iconic call: “It’s Hammer Time.”
“When [Bono] said it was ‘Hammer Time,’ I did notice in the moment – I was like, ‘that’s the last time I’m going to hear that,’” Hamilton shared afterward, his voice tinged with emotion. “It really clicked for me in that moment.”
Hamilton admitted the race wasn’t easy, particularly during the early laps, where progress felt painfully slow.
“The first stint was really, really difficult,” he reflected. “I wasn’t losing hope, but I was just like, ‘ah, it’s not going as well as I thought it would.’ But I just didn’t give up, kept pushing, ‘come on, we can get there.’ Switched onto the [medium] tires, and the car came alive.
“I had a massive gap to close, so I just focused on getting absolutely everything from the car and not giving up.”
The effort, Hamilton said, was about giving his team everything he had left.
“I just wanted to finish on as much of a high as possible and give every ounce of me to the team as they’ve given to me all of these years.”
©Mercedes
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on Hamilton as he brought his Silver Arrow to a halt after the checkered flag, performing celebratory donuts before spending a quiet moment kneeling beside the car.
Asked what was going through his mind, Hamilton replied, “I can’t remember to be honest—it’s already a blur. But I think it was just the last time I’m going to be in the cockpit of a Mercedes. Just trying to enjoy that moment.
“Obviously, I did the whole race, and there’s so much to do in it, but just to be able to hold onto that moment, because it’s history now.
All my races have been powered by Mercedes, and all the success we’ve had—I just sat there to think about all that and just contemplate how great a journey it’s been.”
Hamilton’s partnership with the Mercedes team in F1 has been nothing short of historic. Together, they have amassed six world titles, 84 race victories, and 78 pole positions – a record that cements their place as one the most successful driver-team combination in Formula 1 history.
“I’m going to miss them—I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss them,” said the 39-year-old. “It’s going to be a huge amount.
“I’ve worked with them every day for the past 12 years. There’s a lot of love within this team, and that’s not going anywhere.”
The end of Hamilton’s Mercedes era signals the beginning of a new chapter, as the Brit prepares to join Ferrari in 2025, partnering with Charles Leclerc.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli will step into Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes, taking on the challenge of carrying the team forward.
For Hamilton, the move to Ferrari represents a fresh challenge and an opportunity to etch another chapter into his illustrious career. But for now, his thoughts remain with Mercedes – a team that was more than just an employer but a family.
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