Former Mercedes F1 reserve driver Sam Bird has insisted that Lewis Hamilton's career with the Silver Arrows should be remembered purely as "iconic", with his exit being "healthy".
Bird was the Brackley-based team's reserve driver from 2011 until the end of 2013 season and also represented the outfit in the 2010 post-season young driver test in Abu Dhabi.
It was in 2013 that Bird worked with Hamilton, who was in his first campaign with Mercedes at the time.
The current McLaren Formula E driver has been a huge admirer of Hamilton's, and believes his move to Ferrari is actually a positive for the 39-year-old.
Hamilton has endured a difficult season on the whole, with the obvious exceptions being his victories in the UK and in Belgium.
It has not been the final season neither the 105-time race winner nor Mercedes would have hoped for at the beginning of the year; however, Bird is certain the famous partnership should be remembered solely for its incredible success.
"Yeah, but all things come to an end," Bird told RacingNews365. "I think he needed a change and a fresh start, and I think that'll be very healthy for him.
"His time at Mercedes should only ever be regarded as magnificent. Okay, the last couple of years have been more challenging.
"But what he's been able to achieve for himself and for that team is remarkable, historic, iconic,
and I look forward to seeing what he can do when he's wearing red next year."
It is not only a big weekend for Hamilton, it is, perhaps, an even greater one for McLaren. The Woking-based team can secure its first F1 constructors' title since 1998 in Abu Dhabi.
Bird is with the FE outfit in São Paulo for the season-opener, McLaren's electric family will be watching closely what goes on over in the Middle East.
When asked if this was a significant weekend for the entire company, Bird answered: "Absolutely. We're we're all supporting them, obviously, from afar.
"We'll be keeping a keen eye on what's going on out in Abu Dhabi, and we hope that Zak Brown and the team there can deliver what would be a historic moment for the company."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on a chaotic Qatar GP and look ahead to the season finale in Qatar. Max Verstappen's feud with George Russell is a key discussion, as is Lando Norris' penalty. Comments made by Toto Wolff on the FIA are also looked into.
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