Lewis Hamilton disheartened by Q1 exit in Abu Dhabi as Toto Wolff apologises for 'inexcusable' and 'idiotic' mistake

Lewis Hamilton was left lamenting what might have been as he qualified a disappointing 18th for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after hitting a bollard in what is his final race weekend competing with Mercedes, with team boss Toto Wolff apologising for an "inexcusable" and "idiotic" mistake.

The Briton – who has been with Mercedes for 12 seasons – started the weekend encouragingly as he ended Friday fifth fastest. However, he was unlucky to collect a bollard, dislodged by the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, which cost him downforce and a chance to make it out of Q1 on his final run.

“I mean, you couldn’t have timed it more perfectly – that bollard,” said Hamilton after his disappointing Q1 exit. “It happened just… it was meant to be.

“I was really hopeful. I really thought that we had a chance at getting a podium. The car was feeling good but it wasn’t meant to be in the end.

“I know I did everything right and I’m confident that I’ve taken the right steps this weekend. We’ll try and fight from there.”

2024 Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying: Hamilton knocked out in Q1 after getting bollard stuck in his car

When Hamilton was told he’ll start higher on the grid (P16) thanks to penalties for Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon, he replied: “I’d love to inherit some positions from grid penalties if I can. That would definitely help my Sunday!”

Mercedes showed reasonable pace on the long runs in Friday practice, around 0.24s off slower than McLaren, but Hamilton didn’t want to make any predictions for his final race in silver.

“I’m just trying to be really present and just try to enjoy every moment, every moment with the team even though it wasn’t a great session for us,” he said. “It is what it is and I still enjoy driving the car, and I’m going to enjoy it even more tomorrow.”

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

However, Mercedes boss Wolff was less than happy with how things played out on track for the seven-time world champion as he publicly apologised to the departing driver for the team not sending him out earlier in Q1.

"I just need to apologise to Lewis," Wolff told Sky Sports F1. "Also to everyone in the team that worked so hard to making it a great end for him. He was the quicker guy with that kind of setup that we chose on the car – also to experiment for next year – and we totally let him down.

"An idiotic mistake of not going earlier. Inexcusable. I’ve rarely been so down about what has happened. Maybe it summarises the last races we had with him but this is the worst part of it because it was just idiotic.”

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 05: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff looks on — Wolff apologised to Hamilton following the seven-time world champion's Q1 exit

When asked if the traffic had played it's part in Hamilton's exit, as well as the rogue bollard, Wolff added: “I think we were lucky that both of them [Russell and Hamilton] wrestled their way through the other traffic and maybe without the bollard it would have worked.

"But you don’t risk so much in a Q1 where we had easily the pace to make it out and our most valuable racing driver ever – the most valuable and greatest driver of this sport – gets out in Q1 because we make a mistake. A dilettante mistake, and that’s just…it doesn’t ruin all the legacy that we have with him but I can only say sorry to him.”

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Hamilton's team mate George Russell ultimately went on to qualify seventh and admitted he was confused about the Silver Arrows’ pace so far this weekend.

“I feel pretty relieved to be honest,” he said. “I wouldn’t have said that going into the weekend, to be relieved with P7.

“We are really scratching our heads because the first three laps of the weekend in practice one, we were quickest on each of those laps, same as Lando [Norris], same as Lewis [Hamilton] – the car felt good.

“Since that run, we’ve been half a second off the pace, I’ve been behind Lewis all weekend. He was exceptionally unfortunate in qualifying. I’m confident he probably would have been ahead of me today. I don’t know what’s gone on.”

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) — Hamilton thought he could challenge for podium in Abu Dhabi

Mercedes used Friday practice to do several experiments with an eye on 2025 – and that could have had an impact on Russell struggling for a rhythm this weekend.

“We made it clear we wanted to try things this weekend because when you look at the last races, Qatar, Brazil, Austin – they were sprint races and Vegas is unique, it was the last chance to test things before going into the winter,” he said.

“So, we wanted to be more extravagant with our set-ups and maybe we’ll pay the price for it [this weekend]. I won’t lose much sleep over it. I’m just excited for the last race of the season.”