Wolff: "If it weren't for that buoy, Lewis would have won in Abu Dhabi."
2024-12-09Perhaps you all remember Lewis Hamilton's unfortunate qualifying on Saturday. The seven-time world champion was eliminated in Q1, but he came back from the back of the pack to finish in fourth place in the race.
Although the team's preliminary simulations suggested that a maximum of sixth place would be achievable, Hamilton proved that wrong, and according to his (former) boss, if he hadn't been so unlucky during qualifying, he would have had a shot at victory:
“I always try to look at events impartially, through an analytical lens, and in my view, if that buoy hadn't unfortunately gotten in his way and he had qualified further up, Lewis would have been fighting for the win. However, this leaves no impression on me, as we have achieved so many victories and successes together that what happened now, or rather what didn't happen, does not affect these and our relationship in any way.
But he must be given what is his: He raced as a world champion in Abu Dhabi. Starting from 16th place, he patiently and strategically worked his way up to fourth place, finishing ahead of the Red Bulls. In my eyes, this is a world champion performance, no question about it!” - praised his driver one last time as team principal, Toto Wolff.