Wolff apologizes to Hamilton for 'idiotic' qualifying mistake

Mercedes principal Toto Wolff apologized for a mistake that led to Lewis Hamilton failing to advance past Q1 in his final race with the team.

Hamilton will start Sunday's race in 16th place after a bollard, which was knocked loose by Haas' Kevin Magnussen, got stuck under his car.

"I rarely have been so down about what has happened," Wolff said, per The Athletic's Luke Smith. "Maybe (it) summarizes the last races we had with him, but this is the worst part of it, because … it was just idiotic."

Hamilton is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season. The 39-year-old has won six world championships since joining Mercedes in 2013.

"It doesn't ruin all the legacy we have with him, but … I can only say sorry to him," Wolff said.

18-year-old Italian phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli will take Hamilton's seat alongside George Russell at Mercedes next season.