In a shocking turn of events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s farewell with Mercedes was marred by chaos and controversy, leaving team principal Toto Wolff fuming. The iconic driver, who is set to leave Mercedes for Ferrari next season, faced a disastrous qualifying session that was nearly derailed by a bizarre incident involving a barrier and a strategy blunder from his own team.

Hamilton, who had shown promise during practice, was poised for a strong performance until a crucial miscalculation from Mercedes led to him being sent out late in qualifying on scrubbed tires. As he navigated the track, disaster struck when teammate Kevin Magnussen collided with a barrier, sending debris onto Hamilton’s path. With no time to react, Hamilton ran over the debris, severely impacting his lap time and leaving him stranded in fifth place, far from the podium he had hoped for.

Toto Wolff did not hold back in his criticism of the team’s strategy, calling the situation “idiotic” and expressing deep regret for letting Hamilton down in what was meant to be a celebratory send-off. “We totally let him down,” Wolff lamented. His frustration highlights a troubling trend within Mercedes, raising questions about the team’s future and Hamilton’s impending departure.

As Hamilton prepares for his final race with Mercedes, the cloud of mismanagement looms large. The incident not only tarnishes his farewell but also raises doubts about the team’s ability to support their drivers effectively. With the race day approaching, all eyes will be on the track, but the shadow of this debacle will undoubtedly linger in the aftermath. Hamilton’s decision to leave for Ferrari now seems even more justified as he grapples with a team that has lost its former glory.