Lewis Hamilton "saved" Mercedes with his recovery to second place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Toto Wolff claims.
For a moment it appeared the world champions would be leaving Imola empty-handed as the Briton slid off into the barrier at Tosa and Valtteri Bottas crashed with George Russell all within one disastrous lap.
However, Hamilton was able to recover back onto the circuit in P9, with the red flag caused by his teammate's accident also putting him back on the lead lap.
And from there, he produced a stellar comeback through the pack to reclaim second place behind winner Max Verstappen, with the extra point for fastest lap also keeping him atop the Drivers' Championship.
"That was not my most happy moment when we thought the race was completely lost," Wolff told Sky Sports about the two incidents post-race, "but then Lewis' completely unbelievable driving just saved all of us again.
"[We are] still leading the championship, with the fastest lap, and what actually gives it a silver lining or a positive connotation today is that we seem to have a really quick race car.
"We seemed to have it in Bahrain too and today I would say clearly the quickest car and we just need to sort out our qualifying performance."
Reflecting on his recovery, which saw him pass seven cars in just 25 laps, Hamilton was typically philosophical.
“I think in life when you experience whatever form of adversity, in terms of challenges, or mistakes, or mishaps - whatever hurdles you find that you have to get over, it’s always more satisfying when you overcome them,” Hamilton added.
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“It’s not the mistakes that define you. It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up. Definitely, in that moment for me, you know I don’t make too many mistakes, and it was gutting to be in that position but I honestly feel like these things happen for a reason.
“I remember just sitting there looking at the barrier and I refused to think the race was over. I was refused to believe that the race was done. I could have obviously just turned the car off and got out but I’m grateful that I did the reverse.
“After that, getting out of the car and just trying to switch the anger and turn it into positive energy so I can get back in and turn it forwards, that’s an amazing lesson to be sent and to experience.”
