Wolff 'fed up with explanations' for Mercedes' poor performance after tough qualifying session

Mercedes Formula One boss Toto Wolff said he was fed up with explanations for his car's poor performance after practice pace turned into qualifying disappointment at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

George Russell had been fastest in final practice, but he was fourth in qualifying, trailing Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

"It just didn't come together. Probably that's what was in the car but expectations were higher," Wolff told Sky Sports.

"I'm fed up with having explanations why it didn't go well. We were good in the hot, we weren't in the cold. Previous days it has been the other way around.

"I'm happy that this was the last qualifying of the season and we're going to come with a new car (in 2024)."

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes' seven-time world champion, qualified 11th and said he struggled with the car's balance.

The race on Sunday is Mercedes' last chance to avoid their first winless season since 2011.

"It's been a strange day," Russell said, who felt pole was possible after practice but then lost grip in qualifying.

"We definitely would have taken P4 ahead of the weekend but after this morning's performance, we were quickest every single lap.

"We only improved six tenths from practice to qualifying, considering it was much colder and we had much less fuel in the car. We didn't make the jump that we should have."

Mercedes is battling Ferrari for second place overall, with the Italians only four points behind them and Leclerc on the front row, while Spaniard Carlos Sainz starts 16th.

SportsLigue