Wolff on Hamilton struggles: Bold Mercedes call 'backfired'

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has confirmed a "bold decision" with regards to Lewis Hamilton's set-up for the Monaco Grand Prix "backfired" in qualifying.

Hamilton twice had to fight for his survival from elimination in qualifying at the principality, once in the opening session and again in Q2, as he fought his upgraded W14 around the tight and twisting streets.

One team radio message confirmed his struggles with Hamilton explaining the car was 'so hard to drive'.

But despite his near-misses throughout the qualifying hour, the seven-time F1 World Champion ended sixth-fastest and head of teammate George Russell.

"Lewis was quick all weekend," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"The team, with Lewis, decided to take a bold decision with the set-up because we thought we could play at the front. That backfired.

"That put him on the backfoot in qualifying, the car never felt really together, we had to take a third tyre [set] in Q2 and therefore the recovery was very good.

"But there was a lot of pressure so finishing P6, three-tenths off pole, that is solid in terms of the time gap, but the position is not great."

Mercedes compromise

Whilst Hamilton's sixth was a strong comeback from his earlier struggles, which followed on from a final practice-ending crash at Mirabeau, a look at the speed of Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin and Alpine's Esteban Ocon, who finished fourth-fastest, suggests fortunes could have been better.

Asked if the set-up direction cost a chance of pole position, Wolff explained: "I think what we did was compromise a bit on lap one.

"We felt it was important to compromise grip in the first sector and then have it later on. That made the car so tricky to drive in Turn 1 and that was it.

"Fighting for pole is a big statement but considering where Esteban is and Alonso, we maybe would have been within a tenth or two.

"But 'would have been' doesn't count."