Wolff responds to Russell qualifying 'mess'

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has conceded George Russell was "put in the wrong position" after a contrasting day of fortunes at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Russell qualified only 18th at the Hungaroring having been scuppered by large amounts of traffic as he prepared to launch his final flying attempt in Q1.

The failure was given further disappointment by teammate Lewis Hamilton's stunning pole lap, which confirmed Mercedes' strong one-lap package.

Russell was critical of his team's 'risk-taking' during the session and in response, Wolff told media including RacingNews365: "Q1 was messy, not only for us but for many others.

"Just so many cars on a single piece of track. We put him in the wrong position.

"The first run was already compromised and then everybody was bunching up in the last corner was far from ideal.

"We know there is no code between the drivers anymore because he was overtaken by three between Turn 13 and Turn 14 and that completely screws your last lap.

"But we need to take it on us that we haven't put him in a better position."

Hamilton pride

Hamilton delivered a stunning lap with the final effort of qualifying to secure a record ninth pole at the Hungaroring and his 104th in F1.

Reacting to the seven-time World Champion's effort, which gave him a first pole since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021, Wolff said: "On the positive side, we clearly had a package that was competitive.

"Lewis drove an amazing lap and put on pole. That is something we can be really proud of."