Lewis Hamilton has made a thoughtful parting gesture to Mercedes, commissioning a special artwork for all 3,000 employees as he ends his 12-year tenure with the Formula 1 team.
The British driver, who won six world championships with Mercedes, arranged for renowned motorsport artist Paul Oz to create a painting depicting his car at the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.
Each member of the Mercedes staff has received their own print of the artwork, whilst the original oil painting now hangs at the team’s Brackley headquarters.
Paul Oz, a highly-regarded motorsport artist known for creating busts of racing legends at McLaren’s Woking base, was given one specific request by Hamilton for the commissioned piece.
Lewis Hamilton left a thoughtful gift for his former team at Mercedes
Reuters
“My only remit was that I should focus on the car rather than Lewis,” Oz revealed on Instagram, describing the project as a “class act” from Hamilton.
The artwork captures Hamilton’s Mercedes during the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, a race he would go on to dominate after securing pole position.
The timing of the artwork holds particular significance, as it captures a poignant moment in Mercedes’ history.
The race took place just days after the passing of Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, with the team running a red halo on their car in tribute.
“Just a few days after Niki Lauda passed and the team ran a red halo to remember Niki. Lewis stuck it on pole then dominated the race,” Oz explained in his social media post.
The original oil painting now takes pride of place at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters, serving as a lasting reminder of Hamilton’s era with the team.
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In a gesture that underscores the scale of Hamilton’s appreciation, all 3,000 Mercedes employees received their own print of the artwork.
“Now that it’s public knowledge and all 3000 Mercedes GP employees have received their prints of this, I can talk about it,” Oz shared on Instagram.
“Commissioned by Lewis himself as a departing present for everybody at Mercedes… class act!”
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Lewis Hamilton spent 12 years at Mercedes
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Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari has marked the end of his Mercedes chapter, with team principal Toto Wolff recently reflecting on seeing Hamilton’s Ferrari photoshoot.
“It’s a little bit like when you divorce amicably, and it’s all good, and then you see your partner for the first time with a new friend,” Wolff told Sky Sports.
“I’m really happy for him, and I told him that those pictures were iconic that he made.
“It was so well curated and no surprise with Lewis.”
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