Lewis Hamilton says he didn’t want to make his first appearance for Ferrari in the post-season Abu Dhabi Formula 1 test – but admits that missing out will hamper his preparations for 2025.
While Carlos Sainz, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon will all be driving for their new teams at the Yas Marina track Hamilton is committed to sponsor activities with Petronas in Malaysia designed to mark his departure from the team.
However he says that he wouldn’t have wanted to have his first Ferrari outing in a public test, and never formally requested a release from Toto Wolff.
He’s set to have his first drive in a 2022 car in January at Fiorano.
“I know Fred [Vasseur] wanted it to happen,” he said. “For me, I was into two minds. Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me, in that in a perfect world, you’d get to drive it, not be seen, and do the first roll out next year.
“When I did raise it, obviously with Toto, they had all these plans that I’ve got to go and see some sponsors, for them to say their farewells.
“So I don’t think it was ever going to actually be allowed, even if I had asked to have done it, but because I’m contracted to team until December 31. And that’s totally fine.
“But it doesn’t bother me, because I wasn’t going to do the test. It’s not what I wanted to do. I told Fred, that’s not what I want to do.
“Am I missing out something? For sure, it definitely delays the process and makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll do our best to recover.”
Hamilton says as he counts down his final races before his departure from Mercedes it’s starting to hit home.
“I just sat with Bono just now, and I was like, geez, two races left together,” he said. “And so definitely we have those moments. Everyone, we just all move forwards. I can’t wait for Christmas. I’m just excited.
“I’m excited for the season to end, because we’re not fighting for any more positions in the championships, driver-wise, it’s not nothing exciting, there’s not really much that’s going to change. So I definitely miss those times where you’re battling.
“Last year, I think in Abu Dhabi, we’re fighting for that one extra point to keep us be P2, so that’s awesome. When you’re not in the battle anymore, it’s kind of less exciting. Right the second, I don’t particularly feel emotional, but I’m sure there will be a moment.”
Regarding his final race in Abu Dhabi he said: “I’ve had all year to think about it, so there’s been those highs and lows through the year, so I can’t predict how I’m going to feel next Sunday, after the race, or the days to follow, or at Christmas, how I’m going to feel.
“It’s not easy. It hasn’t been easy all year, and even next year – I remember when I joined this team, it was strange driving past my old team in the in the pit lane, to the point that I even stopped at theirs at one point. So yeah, I’ll have to work hard next year.”
Asked what he will miss by leaving Mercedes he highlighted the long term relationships that the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss enjoyed with the company.
“It’s what I’ve always said about Mercedes, is that it really is a family,” he noted. “I’ve always said that. And one of the hardest parts of the decision is obviously when you when you’re at Mercedes, you’re a part of the family forever.
“If you look at the past drivers, up until their 80s, until literally their deathbed, you’re a part of the team, and they include you and honour you for life. And that was always a worry in the decision that everything you built that ends.
“In my mind that don’t think that’s the case. I’ll always be a part of Mercedes history. In the future, I’ll always be able to come back and see the museum and know that I was a part of the history of this brand. I think we’ve all worked so hard.
“We’ve been through so much together. It’s hopefully not a burning of a bridge. I think the bridge is solidified and it will last the test of time.”
Hamilton added: “In these last two all I want is that we give it our absolute all, which I know we will. For me, these two races, aren’t going to define anything for the future, it’s not going to define our relationship or our past.
“We’ve already done everything and more than we ever set out to do so. But it would be great if we could get a win again. But we’ll see.”
