• Brazilian Grand Prix

Hamilton primed for 'tough' goodbye

Lewis Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher at Mercedes next season © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Race:
• Brazilian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton says he is expecting a "tough" weekend as he races for McLaren for the final time at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Hamilton will join Mercedes in 2013, making this weekend his final race for the team he has driven for throughout his Formula One career. While admitting that the final race will be a difficult one, Hamilton was keen to point out that his primary focus would be on trying to take his first victory at Interlagos.

"It's quite a unique experience for me; I've obviously never been in the situation I'm in this weekend where it's my last race for the team that I grew up in so it's going to be a tough one," Hamilton said. "But 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 but I think we've got a good car. We have such a beautiful race here, hopefully the weather will hold up for us."

When asked what his favourite memories of his time at McLaren were, the world title clinched in Brazil four years ago was top of the list.

"I will take away only 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 only have good memories; I leave with just the greatest memories, the best experiences and hopefully a lot of good friends that I'll 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 have dinner because the food's great there so I hope the Mercedes hospitality lives up to the one we have."

Hamilton also said he would like to return to McLaren at some time in the future.

"You can never say never, and I've had a great time. I think it'll always be my home; I'll always look at it as my home, as where I've come from so going back there would be nice one day but I want to go and experience some things along the way. It's almost like leaving home and going travelling for a bit but I'm just doing it with a different company."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.