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LONDON, England - For the first time in the F1 'power unit' era, otherwise dominated by Mercedes, the team "did not deserve" a podium finish in Hungary, says boss Toto Wolff.
Despite his admission Wolff defended the erratic driving of reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton was slammed by the British news media for his performance on July 26 2015. The London Daily Mail said it resembled someone on the road "after eight pints".
'RASH PERFORMANCE'
The Telegraph said it was the kind of "rash performance" from Hamilton that "holds back his elevation to the status of being a truly great champion".
Wolff said it was not fair to be too critical but admitted: "Whoever makes as many mistakes as we did in Budapest does not deserve to be on the podium - but we do not need to put our head in the sand.
"Our drivers are still 1-2 and we have a solid lead in the Constructors' championship. We are putting all our energy into the search for errors and solutions, not for someone to blame."
'YOU CAN NEVER WRITE-OFF FERRARI'
As for Hamilton's calamitous performance, Wolff said: "You have to remember that there are people sitting in these cars. Just 24 hours earlier the same Lewis did an outstanding qualifying and everyone said so, so please do not assume now that he has some sort of problem."
Wolff admitted, however, that if Mercedes could have days like Sunday (July 26) then the now 42-point gap between Hamilton's lead and the chasing Sebastian Vettel could not be ignored.
Wolff added: "That (gap) is not even two race wins. We are far from being able to drive relaxed and casually to the end of the season. You can never write off Ferrari."
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