Wolff ‘devastated’ for Hamilton

Editor 26 Jul 2014 3:09 PM

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has apologised to Lewis Hamilton and his fans after yet another car failure ruined his Hungarian GP weekend.

Beginning his first run in qualifying, the practice pace-setter’s W05 suddenly caught fire.

With flames licking the back of his car, Hamilton tried to stop but couldn’t. With every passing second, there was more damage to the car until finally the Brit did stop and the marshals put the fire out.

A fuel leak has been blamed as, for the second week in a row, an issue with his Mercedes has put him out of qualifying in the very first segment.

Last week it was a shattered front brake disc that caused the 2008 World Champ to crash.

Wolff has apologised, admitting that Hamilton’s car troubles are not good for the driver nor for Mercedes.

He said: “I’m devastated for Lewis.

“We are working flat out to give both drivers the best possible car.

“A Mercedes in flames is not what we want to show the world.

“I’m sorry to Lewis and all his fans.”