Wolff issues Hamilton apology after 'inexcusable' mistake

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has issued an apology to Lewis Hamilton for an “inexcusable” mistake made by the team.

Hamilton was one of the last drivers to set a lap time at the end of Q1 as the seven-time world champion looked to lift himself out of the drop zone.

However, Hamilton lost significant downforce in the final sector when he picked up a bollard underneath his car, which was spewed onto the racing line when Kevin Magnussen scrambled to get out of the Mercedes driver's way.

Hamilton was eliminated from the Q1 session and is set to line up on the starting grid in 16th place.

Wolff expressed regret for sending Hamilton out into traffic when it had the pace to get through with a more conservative approach.

“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 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.”

Disappointing end does not ruin legacy - Wolff

The session was Hamilton's final in Mercedes colours ahead of his switch to Ferrari next year.

While it marked a disappointing final qualifying session in partnership together, Wolff highlighted it does not tarnish the legacy the duo have built together.

“We were lucky that both of them [Russell and Hamilton] wrestled their way through the traffic. Maybe without the bollard, it would have worked.

“But you don't risk so much in Q1 where we easily had the pace to make it out.

“Our most valuable racing driver ever, the most valuable and greatest driver of this sport goes out in Q1 because we make a mistake.

”That doesn't ruin all the legacy we have with him, but I can only say sorry to him.”