Lewis Hamilton faces criticism from an ex-Mercedes driver for conduct on his last weekend with the team

Former F1 world champion and ex-Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg criticized his former teammate Lewis Hamilton during the season finale in Abu Dhabi last month for his fashion choices during the race weekend. It was an emotional weekend for the seven-time F1 world champion, who was set to have his final race for the German team at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Lewis Hamilton turned heads while entering the paddock in Abu Dhabi on media day in a white outfit. Throughout the weekend, he slowly transitioned to red, fully embracing the colors of the Italian team on his entry to the F1 paddock on race day.

The former Mercedes driver's fashion choices in Abu Dhabi did not sit well with his ex-teammate Nico Rosberg, who called it "inappropriate" and said to Marca (via The Mirror):

"I see the decision as something very strange and inappropriate. It's a shame. It's his day and his choice, so it's fine. They appreciate him and they still have a good relationship, but it is a small detail that makes me sad."

In early February last year, Hamilton decided to leave the Brackley-based outfit at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari in an iconic move on a multi-year deal. Fans across the world have been very excited to see the British team in the iconic red suit on the race track in 2025.

When Former F1 world champion gave his honest take on Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg previously stated that Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari from Mercedes came as a "huge surprise" as he did not "expect it". The 39-year-old ended his 12-year association with the German team to take the opportunity to race in a Ferrari despite signing a contract extension with Mercedes in August 2023.

Speaking with Sky Sports F1, the 2016 world champion reflected (via F1.com):

“Of course, it came as a huge surprise; no one expected it, I didn’t expect it either,” But if you look at the grand scheme of things, then why not? It’s towards the end of the career… there are two legendary teams, it’s Mercedes and Ferrari.

“I know Lewis has always been a big fan of Ferrari road cars also, so why not make that switch and have a different experience driving in red? Then he can really tick off both boxes, he’s driven for the two most legendary teams. By the way, at the moment, it also seems in performance terms to be the right decision for him." Rosberg said.

Lewis Hamilton would join Charles Leclerc at the Italian team as the former hopes to win a record-breaking eighth world championship with the Maranello-based outfit before the end of his career.