David Croft questions Toto Wolff reaction to Lewis Hamilton error at Mexico City Grand Prix

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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday. It was another underwhelming display from the seven-time world champion, but at least a return to the front.

Hamilton had suffered a Q1 exit in the United States in the first leg of the triple-header before spinning out three laps into the race. This, then, was a more conventional session for the 39-year-old.

Instead, it was Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez who were eliminated at the first hurdle. The absence of one McLaren and one Red Bull made Hamilton’s life easier in Q3.

But he was still the slowest of the six remaining contenders, lapping more than seven-tenths slower than polesitter Carlos Sainz. Sainz will feel he made a statement before Hamilton replaces him at Ferrari next year.

The Briton once again unable to match his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Russell sealed the qualifying head-to-head in Azerbaijan last month and now leads by a rather alarming 15-5 margin.

David Croft ‘not sure’ why Toto Wolff was so frustrated by Lewis Hamilton’s Mexican Grand Prix mistake

Shortly after Q3 had finished, replays showed Hamilton making a mistake in the final sector. He lost the rear of his car on the exit of the penultimate corner, forcing him to correct a major slide.

Hamilton has struggled to switch the tyres on at the end of qualifying throughout the season. And this mistake suggests he may have asked too much of his Pirelli rubber over the course of the lap.

Watching on from the garage, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff bowed his head in frustration. He also let out an audible groan as he watched on next to Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s replacement.

Speaking live on Sky Sports F1, commentator David Croft pointed out that the mistake was of little consequence. He wasn’t on course for a higher grid position beforehand.

Croft said: “Toto Wolff knows that that cost Lewis Hamilton. Did it cost him three-tenths [the gap to Russell]? Would he have improved on P6? I’m not sure about that one.”

How Kimi Antonelli compromised Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in Mexico

Giedo van der Garde believes Hamilton is focused on Ferrari already as his final season at Mercedes winds down. The performance of the Scuderia will be the main positive for the 105-time race-winner right now.

On the back of a 1-2 at the US GP, Ferrari once again appear to have the fastest car in Mexico. Sainz showed scintillating pace in taking pole, while Leclerc will feel he should have joined him on the front row.

Saturday’s events are more ammunition for those who feel Ferrari have made a mistake. But in Hamilton’s defence, his car isn’t in peak condition.

Antonelli damaged Hamilton’s floor during his FP1 outing on Friday. While Mercedes were able to repair it, they admitted it wouldn’t be as good as a replacement. But they don’t yet have a spare of the new design.