For his final three years with Mercedes, Hamilton has been partnered by fellow Briton Russell, who finished 22 points ahead of him in the drivers’ championship.
Russell, 26, said: “I felt like it was quite a fitting way to finish with Lewis, to be one second apart after these years, I am happy he had a great weekend. He deserved it.
“I have learned so much from Lewis as a driver and a person. I am proud to have had these years.”
Russell, who will be partnered by 18-year-old Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli in 2025, said Hamilton had taught him a lot about how to behave as a role model.
“I recognise from Lewis that we all have this platform and we have to use it correctly. It has become even more apparent to me with my young nieces and nephews watching TikTok and Netflix.
“How you deal with the victories and losses you inspire the young kids.
“The biggest life lesson I have learned from him is that, even if you really want to express something, there are hundreds of millions of people watching, and the way you do it is super-important.”
Reflecting on the 12 years together, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “It creates attachment, trust and those values in this day and age are rare and that’s why it is a period of time we will always hold close to our hearts.”
