Wolff: W14 floor reveal by 'Cirque du Soleil' crane operator 'suboptimum'

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Toto Wolff joked that the crane operator who hoisted into the air in Monaco Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes to reveal to the world the car's floor design must have worked for circus producer 'Cirque du Soleil'.

The marshals evacuated the car after Hamilton hit the barriers in the closing stages of final practice on Saturday.

But it was lifted several stories high into the air, which allowed everyone, including many photographers, to get a clear look at the W14's new underbody, one of the most closely guarded areas of any F1 car.

Wolff mocked the intervention, but the Mercedes boss was none too pleased with the reveal.

"Well, whoever performed the crane has probably worked for Cirque du Soleil," said the Austrian.

"Honestly, that I don’t even comprehend. The car was on the road. You could have put it on a truck. You’re showcasing a car to everyone in the world.

"That was suboptimum for us, to say the least."

Read also: Hamilton caught out by 'backfiring' set-up decision

When it was pointed out to Wolff that Red Bull's dominant RB19 was also left exposed when it was lifted by a crane after Sergio Perez's crash in Q1, he said: "Checo's car was the same? I didn't see that. So they are all from Cirque du Soleil!"

"Don't thrash them [the marshals].""Everybody is doing their best and I don't want to be the team principal who lashes out at people doing their job."

Mercedes has introduced in Monaco is long-awaited new-spec W14 that features many updates, including wholesale changes to the car's sidepods and underbody.

Wolff was relieved overall by the absence of any negative feedback by Mercedes' drivers on their upgraded W14. But he nevertheless conceded that the team's results in qualifying were a mixed bag.

"Sixth and eighth is not good," he said. "Three tenths off pole with both drivers having less than positive Q3s is solid. It’s actually OK.

"With Lewis and George, if you would have put the last lap together, we would have played the top six. Maybe the top four. That’s OK."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.