The longest goodbye to end as Mercedes pay tribute to Hamilton

Hamilton moves to Ferrari next year, bringing to an end a prolonged goodbye that began when the news that rocked the sport broke before the season started and has lingered throughout. Mercedes head to Abu Dhabi with the agenda to write the final chapter in an incredible story of a mighty team and its great driver.

The Briton's time with the German team, which began at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, includes 245 Grand Prix starts. 84 victories. 78 pole positions. 153 podium finishes. Eight F1 World Constructors' Championships. Six F1 World Drivers' Championships.

A career that, to this point, has been powered solely by Mercedes-Benz; over 20,000 racing laps and 100,000 racing kilometres. Including the spell at McLaren which earned him his first of the seven F1 titles back in 2008.

Mercedes wrote in their tribute to 39-year-old Hamilton: "This weekend marks the closing chapter in the longest and most successful team-driver partnership in the sport's history. The final race of a relationship with the three-pointed star that began 26 years ago.

"Saying farewell after such a journey together is therefore about so much more than just marking records and statistics. It's about paying tribute to a remarkable individual. Recognising a person who has catalysed and led change in our sport. How together, we have strived to make a lasting impact far beyond podium celebrations and trophy collections.

"Launching this evening, and working with London-based agency AMV BBDO, the team has created a global campaign that pays tribute to Lewis's remarkable record, capturing the highs and lows of 12 seasons together.

'Every Dream Needs a Team' bridges between the hopes of the young Lewis Hamilton aiming for F1, and the aspirations of the next generation he has inspired. One that sees our sport as a place where they can achieve their own hopes and dreams. 'Every dream needs a team' speaks to the essential truth of our sport that Lewis has always recognised - that we win, and we lose, together. That success is a collective endeavour.

The film is only the starting point for the team's tributes to Lewis and his achievements. An outdoor campaign featuring iconic photography (attached) of Lewis and the Mercedes F1 Team will light up landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, the UK, and the US, including locations such as Times Square.

Over the race weekend in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton will carry the campaign message on his car, underscored with the names of 150 fans, representing the millions of loyal followers who have been part of the incredible journey.

The presser concludes: "Lewis has achieved every possible dream with Mercedes that he could have possibly imagined as a young racer. But racing in red is something you simply can't do with the Silver Arrows.

"So, as he heads to Maranello with our deep gratitude and warmest of wishes in a few weeks' time, we will turn the page and the begin the next chapter of our adventure. But that's for then, and this is for now. In the coming days, our message is simple: thank you, Lewis."