Toto Wolff apologizes to Lewis Hamilton after ‘idiotic’ Mercedes mistake leads to Q1 exit for final race
New York TimesABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Toto Wolff apologized to Lewis Hamilton for an “idiotic” mistake by Mercedes in Abu Dhabi Formula One qualifying that will mean the seven-time world champion starts 16th for his final race with the team. Wolff said that even without the bollard getting stuck underneath Hamilton’s car, Mercedes was wrong to risk sending him out so late when the pace was in the car to fight up the order. “It doesn’t ruin all the legacy we have with him, but … I can only say sorry to him.” Hamilton said after the session that he was “pretty chill” about what happened, calling it an “unfortunate session” and that the pace of the car felt better than in recent races in which he has struggled more. Asked how he expected to feel waking up on Sunday for his final Mercedes F1 race, Hamilton replied: “It’ll be like I made it.