“It’s been an honor to witness your greatness”: Brad Pitt shares emotional message to Lewis Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari switch
Hollywood legend Brad Pitt has claimed that it was an honor for him to witness the greatness of Lewis Hamilton as the latter left the Mercedes F1 team for Ferrari at the end of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Academy Award winner and the seven-time F1 world champion have gotten quite close over the years due to their association with the new "F1" movie.
The 60-year-old will be leading the star cast for the film titled "F1," set to release in the summer of 2025. The movie co-stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem. Filmed extensively at various F1 circuits and during main races over the past two years, the project features Lewis Hamilton as an executive producer.
Brad Pitt on his official social media platform X (formerly Twitter), extended his warm wishes to the 39-year-old on the occasion of the latter leaving Mercedes after 12 years and wrote:
"Lewis, you’ve redefined what it means to be a legend on and off the track. It’s been an honor to witness your greatness. Here’s to what’s next, champ."
Hamilton managed to finish P4 in his farewell race for the German team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he made a sensational last lap pass on his teammate George Russell.
Former F1 champion sings praise of Lewis Hamilton's move on George Russell
Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg stated that Lewis Hamilton's drive at the Yas Marina Circuit last weekend was the drive of a champion given that he started the race in P15, having endured a poor qualifying session.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Rosberg, who has raced alongside the British driver since childhood and was also an arch nemesis during their Mercedes days from 2013 to 2016, reflected on the drive and said:
"The way he drove was the drive of a seven-time world champion, greatest of all time because that race speed again. He passed George at the end and George started right towards the front and Lewis started at the back. It was a phenomenal drive by Lewis."
While commenting on the last lap overtake on Russell, the 2016 world champion said:
"That was insane! The way he lined him up, it was perfection. Through that whole section around the back, overtaking on the outside. Amazing. The drive of a seven-time world champion. Respect."
Hamilton had an underwhelming swansong with the Mercedes F1 team as he finished P7 in the driver's standings, which is the lowest in his illustrious career.
Despite a rather disappointing end to an incredible association with the Brackley-based outfit, he managed to win two races in Silverstone and Spa, with the former being his first race win in over two and a half years.