dancing drums slot machine Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Wolff Apologises As 'Idiotic' Mistakes Cost Hamilton On Mercedes Farewell

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff has apologised to Lewis Hamilton after "idiotic" mistakes led to the seven-time world champion qualifying in 16th for his final grand prix with Mercedes. (More Motorsport News)

Hamilton, who will join Ferrari when his glittering spell with the Silver Arrows comes to an end after Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, endured a nightmare qualifying session on Saturday.

He ran as one of the five quickest drivers in practice, only to crash out in Q1 for the third time in his last six races.

Wolff was livid after the conclusion of qualifying, in which Hamilton placed 18th but gained two places due to penalties for Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon.

The Mercedes team principal was infuriated by Hamilton being sent back onto the track too late at the end of the session, causing him to be held up by other cars before he had the misfortune of running over a dislodged bollard on his final lap.

Imagine… Thank You, Lewis pic.twitter.com/mG90j2cvqA

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 5, 2024

"I just need to apologise to Lewis and also everyone in the team that worked so hard in making it a great end for him," the Mercedes team principal told Sky Sports F1.

"He was the quicker guy with that set-up we chose on the car to also experiment for next year and we totally let him down.

"An idiotic mistake of not going earlier. Inexcusable, inexcusable.

"I have rarely been so down about what has happened. Maybe it summarises the last races we have had with him, but this is the worst part of it because it was just idiotic."

Lando Norris will start on pole with team-mate Oscar Piastri starting seconddancing drums slot machine, as McLaren battle Ferrari for the constructors' championship title.