Mercedes boss slams team over 'inexcusable' Hamilton flop

Abu Dhabi: An irate Toto Wolff slammed his own Mercedes team on Saturday for an inexcusable decision that led to seven time champion Lewis Hamilton...

Abu Dhabi: An irate Toto Wolff slammed his own Mercedes team on Saturday for an "inexcusable" decision that led to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton flopping in qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Wolff blamed "an idiot's mistake" that led to Hamilton being sent out late to ensure he reached the second qualifying session hen an errant bollard lodged under his car and wrecked his performance and lap.

As a result, he will start towards the rear of the grid for his final race with Mercedes before joining Ferrari next season.

"I just need to apologise to Lewis," said Wolff. "And also to everyone in the team that worked so hard in making it a great end for him. He was the quicker guy with the set-up we chose.

"We totally let him down. An idiotic mistake not to go earlier. Inexcusable, inexcusable! I've rarely been so down about what has happened.