Lewis Hamilton is hoping to sign off his racing career with McLaren by winning the final race of the season before he takes up the vacant seat at Mercedes.
The 27-year-old has sworn he will give his all to win a race which has eluded him despite some positive moments, including his championship win in 2008 when he clinched the fifth place he needed on the final lap of the race.
“Brazil has been the scene of some epic races for me during my time at McLaren and, for many reasons, this weekend will be a very big race for me,” said Hamilton.
“I nearly won the title here in 2007, clinched it on the final turn in ’08 and drove like crazy to finish on the podium in ’09. But I’ve never won: and that’s what I’ll be aiming to do this time around.
“As my final race behind the wheel of a McLaren, I vow to the whole team that I’ll give it my all on every single lap,” he added. “My win in Austin last week was one of the races of my life, and I’d love to take victory in Brazil this weekend to give the team the perfect farewell present.”
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh says the race will bring to an end a “successful” chapter in the team’s history.
“This weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix will bring the curtain down on another fascinating and exciting world championship,” he said.
“Additionally, it’ll be Lewis’s final race for McLaren – the end of a long, and successful, chapter in the team’s history.”
