{"id":27887,"date":"2024-12-06T08:44:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T13:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=27887"},"modified":"2024-12-06T08:47:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T13:47:07","slug":"will-mercedes-be-able-to-finish-the-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-in-the-best-possible-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/06\/will-mercedes-be-able-to-finish-the-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-in-the-best-possible-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Mercedes Be Able to Finish the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the Best Possible Way?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We have finally reached the final stage of this 2024 Formula 1 Season &#8211; the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Yet another season has seen a rather weak Mercedes, unable to consistently fight at the top.<\/p>\n<h2>Can Mercedes end their season on a high?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercedes have had a rocky season, with the 8-time champions unable to return to the standards they once set.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite this, this season,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Brackley team have<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0enjoyed 4 victories. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lewis Hamilton <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won in<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Spa and<\/span> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/f1\/news\/f1-belgian-gp-results-russell-wins-hamilton-mercedes\/10639846\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Belgium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/03\/01\/george-russell-outlines-which-team-mercedes-in-real-fight-with\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">George Russell<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">won<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Austria and Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, the W15 has been<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0impressive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in races<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0with low temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Yas Marina<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> circuit <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will always be one of the worst for<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/11\/26\/valtteri-bottas-set-for-mercedes-return-as-reserve-driver\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercedes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to face. It is still an open wound<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0and evokes bad memories, which are still difficult to digest today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, this will also be the farewell for Lewis Hamilton who from next year will find himself driving for Ferrari. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will therefore be a rather <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">touching<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> emotional race.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Last weekend on track: will Mercedes be able to drive a good race?<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though this year has been characterized by many ups and downs,<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/11\/12\/f1-news-alpine-to-become-mercedes-customer-team-from-2026\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercedes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> want to finish well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This last circuit is quite complex and demanding. Especially because of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> temperatures<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0&#8211; a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factor that certainly does not help Mercedes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on the particular characteristics of the circuit, a low load set-up is expected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another very important characteristic is to take into account the asphalt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question of tyres, in these cases, is very particular and the Brackley team will therefore have to take this factor into account and evaluate the best choices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/06\/will-alpine-remain-on-top-of-the-midfield-in-abu-dhabi\/\" target=\"_self\">Will Alpine Remain On Top of the Midfield in Abu Dhabi?<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s final race as a Mercedes driver<\/h4>\n<p>It seems like yesterday <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/02\/01\/report-lewis-hamilton-to-join-ferrari-in-2025\/\" target=\"_self\">when Lewis Hamilton was announced as Ferrari&#8217;s driver for 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;After 12 incredible years, this weekend we are preparing to write the final chapter of our racing history with Lewis Hamilton. It has been an incredible journey. When we started working together in 2013, we could not have imagined what would happen&#8221;\u00a0 &#8211; Toto Wolff.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">race<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Abu Dhabi will be the last dance. It will be a race full of emotions, where a very important chapter will be closed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A race where these 12 years will be relived, full of victories, prizes, celebrations and many smiles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A farewell that almost no one would have expected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In these last 58 laps in Abu Dhabi as a Mercedes driver, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/06\/26\/lewis-hamilton-the-king-of-records\/\" target=\"_self\">Lewis Hamilton<\/a> will relive all his most precious memories. His first victory with Mercedes, his 6 World Championships won with the<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sweat and dedication that only a great champion like him can have.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He will also relive the first defeats, the first difficulties. As difficult as they are, they are perhaps the ones that help a driver grow the most.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Formula One is also <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this. It is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a race against time, where you have no time to think. You just have to act and adapt to the changes. Whether they are good or bad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>YOU MAY ALSO LIKE<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/07\/08\/lewis-hamilton-still-he-rises\/\" target=\"_self\">Lewis Hamilton: Still He Rises<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>The future: Kimi Antonelli and George Russell<\/h4>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOur focus is on the race weekend. There is no better way to mark the end of our time together than with a strong performance on track. The whole team is focused on adding another memorable moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want to end the season on a high note, this will help us carry the momentum into the winter and towards opening the next chapter of our story in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With George as an experienced driver and Kimi as an exciting rookie talent, our future is bright. But let\u2019s close this chapter on the right note. Thank you, Lewis: for one last time, let\u2019s do it.\u201d <strong>&#8211; Toto Wolff.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have now reached the end of this 2024 season, and what the Brackley team<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must do is maximize what they have and\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enjoy the last moments before Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s final farewell.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But above all, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">start making a list of good intentions<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aim high<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for 2025,<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/11\/13\/f1-news-mercedes-reveal-priorities-for-2025-package\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to try to conduct the 2025 season in the best possible way<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/06\/f1-academy-expands-grid-for-2025-season\/\" target=\"_self\">F1 Academy Expands Grid for 2025 Season<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We have finally reached the final stage of this 2024 Formula 1 Season &#8211; the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Yet another season has seen a rather weak Mercedes, unable to consistently fight at the top. Can Mercedes end their season on a high? Mercedes have had a rocky season, with the 8-time champions unable to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4875,"featured_media":27923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[339,2016,1450,76,121],"class_list":["post-27887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-formula-1","tag-abu-dhabi-grand-prix","tag-andrea-kimi-antonelli","tag-george-russell","tag-lewis-hamilton","tag-mercedes"],"modified_by":"Nicole Powell","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4875"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27887"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27925,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27887\/revisions\/27925"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}