P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton has received support from a former Mercedes driver ahead of his final weekend with the team.
Former Mercedes F1 reserve driver Sam Bird believes Lewis Hamilton’s tenure with the team will be remembered as “iconic” and his departure as “healthy.” Bird was a reserve driver for Mercedes from 2011 to 2013 and worked alongside Hamilton during the latter’s first season with the team in 2013. He views Hamilton’s move to Ferrari as a positive step for the 39-year-old, despite a challenging season. Bird emphasizes the incredible success of the Hamilton-Mercedes partnership, noting their remarkable achievements together. McLaren, where Bird currently competes in Formula E, could secure its first F1 constructors’ title in over two decades in Abu Dhabi, making it a significant weekend for both Hamilton and McLaren. Bird and the McLaren team will be closely following the developments in Abu Dhabi, hoping for a historic moment for the company led by Zak Brown.