After seven-time world champion Hamilton crashed at Mirabeau in the closing stages of final practice, his car dramatically hung high in the air as it was pulled off the track.
With the upgraded W14 suspended in mid-air, the floor structure was completely exposed, allowing rival aerodynamics to get a close look at a key area that teams usually try to keep secret.
Mercedes team boss Wolff joked that renowned circus company Cirque du Soleil must have been responsible for recovering Hamilton’s heavily upgraded car.
“Well, whoever made the crane probably worked for Cirque du Soleil,” said Wolff.
“Honestly, I don’t even understand it. The car was on the road.
“You could have put it in the truck. You present the car to everyone in the world.
“It was suboptimal to say the least for us.”
A similar scene was witnessed when Sergio PerezRed Bull was lifted into the sky in Monaco after his qualifying accident.
“Checo’s car was the same? Same? See, I haven’t seen it… So they’re all Cirque du Soleil,” added Wolff.
Wolff made it clear he was joking and stressed that he appreciated the work done by the circuit marshals.
“By the way, don’t hit the stewards (marshals),” he said.
“Cirque du Soleil is fine, but everyone is doing their best and I don’t want to be the head of the team that attacks the stewards (marshals) who are doing their job.”
