“I'm going to hold your hand”: Mercedes director shares heartening tribute message to Lewis Hamilton

After spending 11 Formula 1 seasons with Mercedes-AMG, Lewis Hamilton is now set to join Ferrari in 2025. In a recent podcast, Mercedes' marketing operations director Victoria Johnson spoke about her fondest memory of the legendary British driver.

Hamilton joined the newly formed Mercedes team in 2013 as a replacement for the seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The Brit was already an F1 champion when he switched to the German team from McLaren and was looking forward to adding more wins and championships to his name. With the start of the 'Turbo Hybrid' era, Hamilton and Mercedes went on to dominate the sport, winning six Drivers' and eight consecutive Constructors' titles respectively from 2014 to 2021.

However, with Mercedes unable to challenge its rivals Red Bull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren in the past few seasons, Hamilton decided to join the Maranello-based squad to challenge for his eighth Drivers' title. As the 39-year-old racer is set to leave the team, several Mercedes team members have expressed their gratitude for one of the sport's greatest drivers.

Mercedes' marketing director Johnson shared a heartening tribute message to Hamilton on a recent F1: Beyond the Grid podcast. He said:

"One, I was very shocked to go on the podium because marketing people don't tend to go on the podium and I remember going into the green room, the backstage room and I was like, I'm not going on the podium. I can't do this and Lewis gave me a great big hug and he was like, right, we're going to do this together. I'm going to hold your hand.

"We're going to go out onto the podium. I'm going to put you where you need to stand and we're going to do this together. When it was time for us to go out, he walked me out, we waved to the crowds and I will always hold that memory."

Her statement was shared on X by a Hamilton fan. Here's a look at the post:

During his time with the German team, Hamilton won 84 Grand Prix and secured 78 pole positions and 153 podium finishes.

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"Every dream needs a team" - Toto Wolff's heartfelt message for Lewis Hamilton after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

As the 11-year-long partnership between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG came to an end in Abu Dhabi, the team boss Toto Wolff shared a heartfelt message for the seven-time world champion on the team radio after the Grand Prix. He said:

"Now you’re opening up a new chapter with Ferrari, but it’s most important to remember one thing: find your people. Not just the ones who work with you or sign your contract – obviously we know that’s important, but the ones that dream with you, fight with you, who have your back and your ear, the ones who stand with you and kneel with you.

"The ones who see you, including the parts you don’t want seen, who never stop believing even when you do sometimes. Because when you find your people, you don’t just beat the world – you change it. Whatever the future holds, just remember we will always be your people, because every dream needs a team, you know it. Take care my friend, see you on track. We are really looking forward to it. That’s the most important message I’ve ever sent!"

Hamilton finished the 2024 season in seventh position in the Drivers' championship, while Mercedes ended up in fourth place in the Constructors' table.