Formula 1 - Wolff: Mercedes 'can't accept' unreliability

Lewis Hamilton will start from the pit lane for the Hungarian Grand Prix with a new chassis after his qualifying efforts were wrecked by a fire in the opening minutes of Q1. And just a week after Hamilton was forced out of qualifying in Germany following a brake disc failure, Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says changes have been made to get on top of the situation.

"We must solve the reliability problems," said Wolff. "We have set up a group of quality management, which is already implemented, and this is not something we can accept.

"We will work very hard to get on top of these problems. We have had various issues, like the brake disc in Germany which wasn't exactly the fault of the team.

"Today we have to find out what happened, because it's not always clear where it comes from - sometimes it's the chassis side, sometimes it's the power unit side or a supplier.

"I'm extremely upset for Lewis because this is the fourth reliability issue he has had this year and the championship is very tight and it's a shame for him."

Wolff was also quick to rubbish talk that the fact Hamilton had experienced the majority of Mercedes' reliability problems this year was a sign of favouritism towards Nico Rosberg.

"We want the two cars to fight it out on track and not have a championship influenced by reliability issues," he said.

"We take it very seriously and we need to get on top of these issues. I can understand the annoyance of the fans."

Despite the Hungaroring being so tight, which makes overtaking difficult, Wolff reckoned a podium could still be on for Hamilton.

"I wouldn't exclude a podium, honestly," he said. "He had huge speed today and if you get it right strategy-wise, different to others, an off-set strategy, I wouldn't exclude it."

But Hamilton was less convinced.

"This is not a track you can really overtake on so coming from last to the podium is a lot less likely," he admitted.

"I'm quite far back, I don't anticipate getting that far up this time.

"I think I will struggle to get into the top 10 tomorrow, or at least the top five.

"I can't really believe it but that's the way it is. These things are sent to try us and how I come out of it is what is important. I'm always up for the fight.

"I'll probably leave here more than 20 points behind Nico but there are still more races to go."