'MOTIVATED'
Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on Mercedes exit and reveals ‘surreal’ atmosphere ahead of final season with F1 team
The F1 legend has sent a defiant message to those thinking he's slowing down
LEWIS HAMILTON says he is determined to sign off his time with Mercedes with a bang and reckons he is fitter and hungrier than ever.
Hamilton stunned F1 by announcing that he was quitting Mercedes after 11 years to join Ferrari in 2025.
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He broke the shock news to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over breakfast at the Austrian's home in Oxford last month.
Hamilton, 39, will now see out his contract with Mercedes and says he is still committed to helping them get back onto the top step of the podium.
He said: "I feel the most motivated and focused I've ever been. Every year you come back and you're like 'I'm fitter than ever' and all these things.
"However, I genuinely feel that I have put in more work and more time and more focus to prepare for this year.
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"I never thought that at this point in my life I would have hunger like I do right now.
"And to finish on the high with the team, it would be a dream.
"We've gone through a whole heap together, so to finish on a high would be the greatest honour and to help them get back to the top."
Speaking at Silverstone ahead of the team's shakedown with teammate George Russell, Hamilton added: 'It's obviously been emotional.
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"It's very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, this is the start of my 12th.
"The focus through the whole of winter training is getting the team back to where we once were.
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"We have had these difficult couple of years which have been really grounding for us.
"'It is such a privilege to work with people to see the work they're doing over the winter.
"This is the most exciting part of the year. To know everything underneath the hood, that George and I will be able to experience on the track. It's exciting."
Meanwhile, Wolff says his team "have a mountain to climb" after winning just once over the past two years.
After designing two dud cars, Wolff is now hopeful that their latest creation will deliver them back to the top step of the podium.
He added: "We know we have a mountain to climb to fight at the very front. There are no miracles in this sport.
"But our ambition and determination are strong. Since charting this new course, development has progressed well.
"We had several items on our priority list for this car. We will soon see if we've made the step we've aimed for.
"As the saying goes: when it stings, it sticks. I believe the previous two years were necessary for us to readjust, recalibrate and reinvent ourselves in certain areas.
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"That root-and-branch approach is never easy. But we've made progress and look forward to taking the next step with the W15.
"It won't be a linear path, but when we stumble, we will get back up and keep climbing."
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