Nico Rosberg Celebrates Lewis Hamilton's Final Race For Mercedes At Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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Nico Rosberg praised Lewis Hamilton's final race for Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, calling it a phenomenal performance. Hamilton's 12-year stint with Mercedes concluded as he prepares to join Ferrari in 2025. In his last race for Mercedes, Hamilton impressively moved from 16th to fourth place, overtaking George Russell on the final lap. This drive was a testament to his skill and determination.

During his time with Mercedes, Hamilton set records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202). Despite these achievements, the 2024 season saw him finish outside the top six for the first time in his career. He also scored his lowest points since 2013 with McLaren, accumulating only 189 points. Rosberg, who raced alongside Hamilton from 2013 to 2016, described his final drive as that of a seven-time world champion.

Rosberg was particularly impressed by Hamilton's last-lap pass of Russell at turn nine. "That was insane! The way he lined him up, it was perfection," Rosberg remarked. He highlighted how Hamilton overtook on the outside through a challenging section of the track, showcasing his exceptional racing skills.

Rosberg and Hamilton shared a competitive partnership at Mercedes, winning 54 out of 78 races over four seasons. They secured three drivers' championships between them. Hamilton achieved 32 victories and qualified ahead of Rosberg 42 times. Meanwhile, Rosberg managed 22 wins and qualified ahead of Hamilton on 36 occasions. Their rivalry was intense both on and off the track and was often compared to Ayrton Senna's clash with Alain Prost.

Their relationship dates back to their teenage years when they were karting teammates. Hamilton joined Mercedes' young driver programme at age 13 in 1998 while still part of McLaren's setup. After six years with McLaren and winning his first world title in 2008, he moved to Mercedes alongside Rosberg.

A Longstanding Partnership Ends

Reflecting on their journey together, Rosberg expressed mixed emotions about Hamilton leaving Mercedes after nearly three decades. "Even for me, it's emotional to watch this," said Rosberg. He recalled witnessing their partnership from its inception when they started racing together at age 12.

Rosberg acknowledged the significance of their collaboration in Formula One history: "It's crazy that it's coming to an end." The bond between them has been remarkable despite their fierce competition over the years.