Toto Wolff 'fed up with explanations' after challenging qualifying session
Toto Wolff 'fed up with explanations' after challenging qualifying session
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his frustration after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session yielded a varied outcome for the team.
While George Russell secured a second-row start, Lewis Hamilton faced huge disappointment with an 11th-place grid position, marking his second consecutive weekend without progressing from Q2.
Post-session, Wolff voiced his weariness in having to consistently explain the team's challenges and looked forward to a new beginning in 2024.
Wolff 'happy' to see the back of 2023
“FP3 was even, I would say dominant. Norris could have probably been there and would have been there also by the way in qualifying," Wolff told Sky Sports F1.
"[It] just didn’t come together. Probably that’s what was in the car, but expectations were higher.
“I’m fed up with having explanations about why it didn’t go well. We were good in the hot, we went out in the cold, the previous race it was the other way round.
"I’m just happy that this was the last qualifying of the season. We’re going to come with a new car [for 2024]."
Mercedes v Ferrari battle intensifies
Hamilton found himself eliminated in qualifying at the hands of his team-mate Russell, who pushed him into the Q2 drop zone as the clock ran down to zero.
Appearing to blame the car for his sub-par performance, Hamilton said over team radio that there was 'something not right.'
This setback poses a significant challenge for Mercedes on Sunday as they aim to defend their P2 position in the constructors' championship against a determined Ferrari.
However, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, starting in P16 after a shock Q1 exit, may offer a potential opportunity for Mercedes to protect their four-point advantage in the standings.
READ MORE: F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weather forecast - shock rain showers threatening Yas Marina Circuit
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton hit with SURPRISE Ferrari claim as new Cullen relationship blossoms - GPFans F1 Recap
- 1 hour ago
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- 2 hours ago
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 3 hours ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- Yesterday 20:57
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- Yesterday 19:57
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
F1 track to test stunning new driver format
Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage
Verstappen's F1 break includes one major omission
Marko mourns death of key Red Bull figure after championship win
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860