Wolff backs Antonelli to shine, setting high goals for Mercedes F1’s new Italian talent.
Toto Wolff explains why he selected Andrea Kimi Antonelli as next year’s Mercedes F1 driver. The team director reveals his long-standing belief in the Italian’s talent and significant maturity.
“I have always strived with my team and Mercedes to be bold and future-oriented, and we liked the idea of promoting Kimi early on,” Wolff stated. “We were already convinced of his talent; it was a question of maturity.”
“Today, we are ready to embrace the risks of maturity under the pressures of F1. But we see Kimi as part of the team’s long-term future, and at some point, you have to plunge into the cold water.”
Asked when he made his choice to replace Hamilton, Wolff disclosed: “I made my decision five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was moving to Ferrari.”
“Obviously, we discussed other options and also kept the idea of Max. We didn’t rule it out completely given the situation at Red Bull, but instinctively, this was the lineup I always wanted.”
“Keeping in mind the accelerated process we undertook with Kimi and all related aspects, but it was immediately what I wanted to do.”
Wolff admits it was tough to pass over excellent drivers like Carlos Sainz, but explains that this allowed Mercedes to select another driver from its junior program, as was the case with George Russell previously.
“It wasn’t easy because there were outstanding drivers we were considering—who deserved to be at Mercedes. Carlos is a prime example, and he would have been fast; he would have been a significant contributor to championships, including next year.”
“However, our junior driver program is crucial to us, and I believe the long-term future lies between Kimi and George, who have both been with us from a very young age.”
“They have won all the junior categories they needed to win, they have met all the targets we set for them, and that’s why we’ve invested in the Mercedes program and feel comfortable with it.”
Wolff asserts he recognized something special in Antonelli from the outset: “When we first discussed him, there are some very special kids in karting who consistently excel across the categories—they win.”
“And he was one of them, as were Max, George, Lando, and Lewis in the past, just to name a few. That was when he first appeared on our radar. Additionally, he has a great personality, which isn’t surprising given his wonderful family background. His parents have struck the right balance between applying pressure and providing a supportive embrace.”
“His father was a professional driver and still is, even outpacing me in a touring car. But they hold superb values. Putting all this together—the ferocity in the car, a lion in the car, and then outside of it, someone who is kind and upholds good values—that’s what convinced us.”
Despite Antonelli’s mistake in EL1 yesterday, his future director believes he can handle the pressure, as he has already demonstrated in his transition from FRECA to Formula 2 this year, even though his results are challenging to interpret.
“We had already noticed from his childhood that he copes well with pressure. There have been instances of drivers who have made such a significant leap forward. Not just Kimi, but another Kimi comes to mind: Kimi Räikkönen. He moved straight from Formula Renault to F1.”
“He accomplished everything in between and succeeded. There’s no doubt he has the talent, ability, skills—and now, it’s about giving him the space to grow in this tough, unforgiving environment, and we will protect him and allow him to develop.”
“We expect challenging times. There will be doubts. We will also see strong moments. Kimi will be one of the very best in time, perhaps not yet. Italy is a racing nation. There is a shortage of young drivers who have been given a chance in a top-tier car.”
“He has this opportunity. I think Italy is about to go mad over its next superstar. I’ve also told him that this is the last week he will live anonymously. As soon as this deal is finalized, it won’t be as easy to go out for a pizza because people will recognize him,” Wolff remarked.
Wolff also feels reassured by this decision because he is convinced that Russell is now ready to lead Mercedes F1: “George will be in his seventh year. He has always possessed a wise head on young shoulders. He is very thoughtful and self-critical, which is crucial to keep the ego in check.”
“He learns, he is continually developing. It’s a skill we all admired in Lewis—despite being a great champion, he constantly evolves as a person and as a racing driver.”
“So yes, George has everything it takes to play a more significant role in the team and to lead when it comes to making technical decisions about the adjustments needed. I have great confidence in him.”
Now, Wolff is no longer considering recruiting Max Verstappen, who had seemed to be his priority during the season. He explains his desire to secure his new duo for as long as possible, as Mercedes has two young drivers.
“It’s very clear. We’ve chosen George and Kimi. We would like this setup to be assured for the very long term, not just for a year. We will put all our efforts into this. I’ve said it in the past when we were discussing other drivers, but now the decision has been made.”
“We have a relationship with both; I do not engage in flirtations outside. I do not do this in my private life, nor in my professional life. If we come to the conclusion that we are not fond of it, the drivers will hear it from us first-hand. We will not entertain any flirtations.”
“What I value in my relationships with the Verstappens is their forthrightness, and there’s no dalliance with external parties. I almost got caught up in the situation with Lewis, but I didn’t have any discussions with any other drivers while I devoted myself entirely to the team’s success.”
“And that is why our entire focus within the team is on George and Kimi. There’s no discussion, no doubt about what we will do in 2026 because right now, it’s about 2024 and 2025.”
“And if any external flirtations are to happen, for one reason or another, then our guys will know at the same time when we have those discussions.”
Finally, he confirms that Antonelli already has a much clearer vision than some young drivers, and he is not worried about how he will progress in F1, especially mentally: “This is a very valid point, as we have seen drivers enter F1 who were extremely talented and possessed raw natural speed.”
“How they navigated F1 from a social standpoint, in terms of relationships, and how they were guided by teams, misled by leaders, drawn into poor decisions, swept away by their emotions.”
“I think with Kimi, we can see that these things do not concern me at all, due to his upbringing, his background, his family, and also because he has been part of our family for a long time. There will be times when we will have discussions, but the foundation of what he needs to be a great racing driver is there.”
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