After a gut-wrenching exit from the Brazilian Grand Prix to end his six years with McLaren on a low note, Hamilton is looking ahead to the next three years with Mercedes.

The 27-year-old faces one final emotional pull this week when he visits the McLaren Technology Centre at Woking to say his goodbyes.

Beyond that, and with McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh’s permission, Hamilton will be allowed contact with the Mercedes staff at Brackley before officially linking up on January 1.

“I won’t be doing much technical work with them but I’m allowed to talk to people. Leaving McLaren is definitely tough, but I’m looking forward to next year. It’s going to be something new, a new experience,” the Daily Express quoted Hamilton, as saying.

“I’m going to give it absolutely everything. I hope we can be competitive and the future will be bright,” he added.

“I’m expecting to see a great group of people who are determined as anything to win because they’ve not been winning. Hopefully, as a driver who has been winning, they will be excited to have me there,” he said.

Under the leadership of Ross Brawn, they have managed a solitary victory.

Although Brawn has gathered a considerable technical team around him, he has likened Hamilton’s arrival to that of fitting the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

“That’s cool. Hopefully I’ve a lot of respect there. I’m sad to be leaving a lot of great people at McLaren, but I wish them all the best and look forward to racing against them next season,” Hamilton said.