Toto Wolff slams Lewis Hamilton’s shameful Q1 exit in final race for Mercedes at Abu Dhabi GP
Toto Wolff berated Mercedes's woeful performance that caused Lewis Hamilton's early elimination from the Q1 qualifying session at Abu Dhabi.
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Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1)
Lewis Hamilton‘s disastrous pace in the latter half of the 2024 season was evident in Abu Dhabi. The Briton couldn’t even steer clear of the Q1 qualifying session due to an on-track incident involving a bollard. Hence, the 39-year-old’s last race with the team would end in a huge disappointment as Toto Wolff put forth some strong words.
The 2024 season was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for Lewis Hamilton. The Briton scored two highly coveted race wins with one being on his home soil. However, Hamilton and Toto Wolff were distraught after the disappointing end to the former’s qualifying session in Abu Dhabi.
Wolff was expectedly fuming after Hamilton’s Q1 elimination. The Austrian channeled his frustration on the team radio and also in a post-session interview. The Mercedes boss highlighted that the Briton’s Q1 exit was ‘inexcusable’ and a ‘shame’ from Mercedes’ end. Subsequently, the 53-year-old noted that there were no excuses from the team to let Hamilton down in his final session with the team.
Toto Wolff with strong words for this qualifying session at Sky Germany, saying it‘s inexcusable, calling it a shame, idiotic mistake and that there are no excuses for letting Lewis down like this in his final qualifying session for the team.
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) December 7, 2024
He says they won't be able to give…
Mercedes won’t be able to give a worthy send-off to Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes was all prepared and planning a mega farewell for Lewis Hamilton in his final season with the team. Although the Briton had a few glimpses of extreme highs this season, the performance has been tumultuous nonetheless. The season finale in Abu Dhabi was believed to be the one last chance of redemption for Hamilton and a way for Mercedes to bid a proper farewell to the former.
Following a Q1 exit, Toto Wolff reckoned that the team won’t be able to give a worthy send-off to Hamilton. The 39-year-old would not be delighted with an out-of-points finish as a good enough end to his season. Hence, all the hopes to end the campaign on a high with Brackley seem like a far-fetched dream for the seven-time world champion.
The 2024 season peaked in competition and excitement regardless of Hamilton’s dismal performance. The season witnessed multiple race winners throughout as Mercedes scored a handful of wins. The Mercedes star looks all set to join the Italian constructor and take them back to their championship-winning days in Formula 1 from 2025 onwards.
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Aditya Pandya
(1468 Articles Published)