F1: Hamilton Looking For Win In Last McLaren Start

Formula 1

F1: Hamilton Looking For Win In Last McLaren Start

Lewis Hamilton's long run with McLaren ends Sunday...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 22, 2012 Sao Paulo (BRA)

Lewis Hamilton won the title with McLaren in 2008. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton says that his final race with McLaren will be a “unique experience” after his years with the team – and he wants to end the association with a victory.

Hamilton was picked up by McLaren when he was a 13-year-old kart racer.

“It’s quite a unique experience for me,” said Hamilton on Thursday in Brazil. “I’ve obviously never been in the situation I’m in this weekend, where it’s my last race for the team I grew up in. It’s going to be a tough one.

“Nonetheless, we’re going to push as hard as we can, as we did in the last race, and try to win. I’ve never won here before. So I’m going to have to try and beat Felipe (Massa, Brazil native), as he wants to win it. It’s such a beautiful race here, so hopefully the weather will hold up for us.”

Asked what memories he will take away from his long stint with McLaren, Hamilton said: “I think I'll take away only the positive memories of our journey together. Obviously winning the World Championship, winning my first Grand Prix, starting out together and I guess this weekend.

“I leave with just the greatest memories, the best experiences and hopefully a lot of good friends I will continue to be friends with throughout the future. I was just saying to them that even though I’ll be with Mercedes, I’ll probably keep coming back to have lunch and dinner back at the hospitality because the food’s great there. So, I hope Mercedes’ hospitality lives up to the one we have!”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.