Livid Toto Wolff has apologized to Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes’ “silly” and “inexcusable” selections throughout Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying that resulted within the Briton being left behind on the group Completed sixteenth within the closing race.
Hamilton was anticipated to tug off a powerful swansong end result this weekend after a powerful efficiency in observe, ending within the prime 5 on the timesheets, however the seven-time champion ended up qualifying first for the third time within the final six races. Stage is eradicated.
Nonetheless, whereas Hamilton might have struggled with the group’s automotive in qualifying this 12 months, a red-hot Wolff put the blame for Saturday’s newest early exit squarely on the group’s execution on the finish of Q1 when the Hamilton, 39, was additionally despatched again to the observe late within the site visitors of different automobiles.
Hamilton’s probabilities of qualifying for Season 2 had been additional hampered by an unlucky collision with a unfastened bollard, which Kevin Magnussen’s Haas knocked over in direction of the tip of his outer lap after which protected. The pillar obtained caught underneath the automotive’s entrance wing.
Wolfe, nevertheless, made no excuses for the group’s timing errors.
“I simply need to apologize to Lewis and everybody within the group who labored so laborious to get an excellent ending for him,” the Mercedes group principal mentioned. Sky Sports activities F1.
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Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff had been left 18th in Sunday’s Grand Prix after being broken by a bollard throughout Q1 in Abu Dhabi. He was confused.
“He was the sooner man and we selected to experiment with it within the automotive for subsequent 12 months and we fully let him down.
“Not going sooner was a silly mistake. Unforgivable, unforgivable.
“I’ve hardly ever been so upset about one thing that occurred. Perhaps that sums up the final sport we had with him, however that was the worst half as a result of it was so silly.”
“We had been fortunate that they each fought their manner by way of site visitors. Perhaps with out the bollards it will have labored.
“However you do not take too many dangers within the first season and we simply had the pace to get issues completed.”
Wolff, whose group has rewritten the document books with Hamilton over the previous 12 years, lamented, including: “Our most beneficial driver of all time, probably the most worthwhile and biggest driver within the sport. We obtained eradicated within the first season as a result of we made a mistake.
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Watch a two-part particular on Sky Sports activities this weekend celebrating seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s unbelievable journey with Mercedes!
“It does not destroy all of our legacy with him, however I can solely say I am sorry.”
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Lewis Hamilton says he’s aiming to bounce again from the bollard incident that led to his disastrous exit within the first season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Mercedes chief govt admitted Hamilton’s hopes of an eventual podium end as a Silver Arrows driver now look slim from the underside of the eighth row of the grid. Hamilton certified 18th however moved up two locations on Sunday’s begin as Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon obtained penalties.
“He was there. We might have actually pushed for a podium,” Wolff added. “He was third this morning however now from the place he’s it is virtually not possible.”
Hamilton: Qualifying mishap ‘simply my luck’
Whereas Hamilton was naturally dissatisfied and pissed off by the brutality of Season 1, he supplied a philosophical method to the numerous setback in his closing weekend with the Silver Arrows.
“It is simply my luck, however it does not matter,” he advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“We labored laborious on the setup, we put the automotive in an excellent place and it regarded good in third, so I used to be actually considering ‘Perhaps it is doable to be on the leaderboard this weekend. Podium’.
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Lewis Hamilton says he’s aiming to bounce again from the bollard incident that led to his disastrous exit within the first season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Then the race schedule did not optimize as a result of I used to be final on the course and clearly I ended up behind one of many alps, so I ran out of time.”
Hamilton mentioned he’ll now attempt to make a comeback within the 58-lap Grand Prix.
“I am going to attempt my greatest. Like I mentioned, the automotive feels good,” he mentioned. “I used to be comparatively within the prime 5 ranging from P1, P2 after which going into 18th, which positively modified the complexion of the weekend, however I am nonetheless attempting to point out my actual kind. I am nonetheless very grateful.
“The automotive was fully totally different this weekend and drove quite a bit higher, so my hopes had been excessive, however it’s what it’s. I am going to attempt to come again from then.”
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Sky Sports activities seems again at Lewis Hamilton’s most enjoyable moments for Mercedes forward of his closing race in Abu Dhabi.
Sky Sports activities F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stay schedule
Sunday, December 8
7.10am: F1 Academy Race 3
9.20am: F2 Particular Race
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preparations
1pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
3pm: Checkered Flag: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Reactions
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast stay on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
Watch the ultimate race of the 2024 Components 1 season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – stay on Sky Sports activities F1, Sunday at 1pm. Get Sky Sports F1 or live stream with NOW
