DEPARTING McLAREN DRIVER Lewis Hamilton has spoken of his sadness at leaving the team he has driven for since he was a boy.
The Briton signed a multi-year deal with Mercedes, ending his 15-year association with McLaren, but wants to leave at the end of the season on a high note starting with this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix.
Currently fourth in the Formula One drivers’ standings, Hamilton insisted there were no ill feelings between himself and team principal Ron Dennis, with the pair having only spoken for the first time in recent days since the 27-year-old announced he would move on.
“I’m still 100 percent focused on trying to help this team be successful trying to win the constructors’ championship,” he said.
“When I was back at the factory it really hit home that this is coming towards the end of my period of time here, when I do these kind of appearances, in the simulator or working with the guys in the factory.
“It’s very difficult for me as I’ve been working here for 15 years, but everyone has to have something new, everyone has to try new things at some stage, I’m looking forward to it, but it’s going to be very tough to leave.
“I spoke to Ron (Dennis), me and Ron are planning to meet up in Abu Dhabi, we plan to go out to dinner and have a good chat. Things are positive and feel very normal amongst the team.”
Hamilton’s association with Mercedes will see him team up with Nico Rosberg again for the first time since their childhoods.
“I was team-mates with Nico, I met him when I was 13 and was team-mates with him when I was 15 and we always said how cool it would be to one day be Formula One team-mates, so we will be next year. It’s quite a unique story, and a cool one,” he said.
