Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff 'vent anger' in heated exchange

Lewis Hamilton and Toto — Photo: © LAT Images

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Hamilton and Wolff 'vent anger' in heated exchange

But Wolff insisted there was no disagreement between the two

Ewan Gale

Saturday 23 April 2022 15:56 Updated: 16:03

Toto Wolff has confirmed he and Lewis Hamilton 'vented at each other' but has insisted there was "no disagreement at all" after an animated discussion during Emilia Romagna Grand Prix qualifying.

Both Mercedes drivers were eliminated before Q3 for the first time in a decade as the team struggled to get up to speed at Imola in damp conditions in a session riddled with red-flag stoppages.

Hamilton climbed out of the car early as further rain fell in Q2 and came face to face with team principal Wolff, before refusing to talk about the "internal" conversation.

But addressing the situation, Wolff told Sky Sports F1: "There was no disagreement at all.

"It doesn't get any closer than the two of us are. We were just so angry about the session overall and he vented at me, I vented at him but it was absolutely about the same thing."

Mercedes struggles "so frustrating" - Wolff

The struggles allowed George Russell to qualify only 11th with Hamilton back in 13th, two races on from the seven-time champion failing to reach Q2 in Jeddah.

Further explaining the fractious mood during qualifying at Imola, Wolff said: "It was just a degree of frustration that we are not able to generate the grip in the first lap.

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"Friday was all about the first lap and then it red-flagged and we weren't able to make it into Q3 and it was so frustrating."