ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Stooped beside his silver and black Mercedes W15 car on the main straight of the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton paused to soak up the moment.

Lewis Hamilton has turned the page on his time with Mercedes, bringing to an end the longest and most successful driver-team partnership in Formula 1's history.

When Lewis Hamilton won two grands prix in the space of three weeks in July, few would have thought his Mercedes swansong could end so painfully.