Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton held the pace to challenge for the win in the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had he started higher up on the grid.
Hamilton starred on his last appearance with Mercedes as he produced a superb drive at the Yas Marina Circuit to recover 12 places to come home in fourth position.
The Briton had been inside the top five during all three practice sessions, but a bizarre incident with a bollard getting stuck under his car saw him get eliminated in Q1.
Hamilton lamented his misfortune as he expressed that a podium finish would have been attainable based on the pace that he had shown earlier in the race weekend.
However, Hamilton ran an extended opening stint on the Hard tyre to set up a late charge on Mediums which saw him pass team-mate George Russell on the final lap.
But while he was pleased to end his Mercedes stint on a high, Wolff is certain Hamilton could’ve threatened race victor Lando Norris had he qualified at the sharp end.
“I always try to be analytical and if the bollard hadn’t been in our way yesterday then we could have fought for victory,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.
“On the other side, he said to me, ‘we’ve had so many wins and so much success these last few races they don’t change how we feel about it’.
“He drove like a World Champion today from P16.
“We played the long game and finishing fourth, driving away from the Red Bull, that was a statement of a World Champion.”
Pressed on where Mercedes’ pre-race simulations estimated Hamilton would end up, Wolff answered: “The best estimate was P6. We would have been right up there.”
Wolff hails Hamilton partnership
Hamilton’s run with Mercedes concludes with him having accomplished an unprecedented 84 race victories and six Drivers’ titles since moving from McLaren in 2013.
But despite the extensive success that has been achieved in that period, Wolff has pinpointed the partnership’s longevity as one factor that is unique to modern sport.
“It has been 12 years. The longest driver-team relationship this sport has ever seen,” Wolff highlighted.
“It’s one of the longest relationships that any sport has seen. I would be interested to see the data on that.
“One of the longest relationships personally and that creates attachment, trust and those values in this day and age are rare and that’s why we hold him close to our hearts.”
Asked what he will miss most about having Hamilton at Mercedes, Wolff responded: “We said we’re going to work hard at maintaining the relationship.
“Fierce competition on the track, but if the individuals want the relationship to continue beyond competition we will do so.
“We still play our sports sessions, where we are both so competitive, try to beat each other, ride a bike.”
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