Speaking to the media after his 104th career victory at Silverstone Circuit, Lewis Hamilton revealed how happy he was to eliminate the “bittersweet” feeling at the end of 2024.

The victory at the 2024 British Grand Prix was probably more of a relief for the seven-time World Champion than for anyone else.

Lewis Hamilton made a big decision to leave the German team at the end of 2024, and he spoke multiple times about wanting to finish his run with the team on a high.

There has not been a driver in an F1 history that would be with a single team for as long as Hamilton with Mercedes, and after so much success (6 Drivers’ titles, 8 Constructors’ titles, and 83 wins), Hamilton revealed he really didn’t want to leave the team on a low.

Asked right after the 12th round of the 2024 season at the Silverstone Circuit whether his feelings about the victory were somehow different, knowing he is leaving for Ferrari next season, Hamilton said:

“No. I think when we started the season and we had a car where we weren’t going anywhere near Red Bull.”

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“For example, anywhere near looking like we would ever get a win through the year, that for me felt like it would be kind of bittersweet at the end of the season, where you’ve not had something like today.”

The moment the 39-year-old Mercedes driver crossed the finish line in the first place was very emotional, and it was clear the whole team was delighted to have managed to push through tough times and get that victory together at least once before Hamilton leaves.

“And the fact that we’ve really all come together, everyone’s done such a great job to get the car into a place where we’re feeling much more comfortable and really changes from the foundation from last year. So not leaving on a low, but leaving on a high, which has been our goal.”