Toto Wolff has reflected on the remarkable trajectory of Kimi Antonelli after the 20-year-old secured his first Formula 1 title at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Italian driver became the youngest World Champion in history, achieving the feat in just his second season with nine Grand Prix wins to his name. His third-place finish on Sunday capped a dramatic turnaround from his debut campaign, where he failed to score points in ten races despite being promoted after only three seasons in junior single-seaters.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff admitted that promoting the teenager was always viewed as a "calculated risk" rather than a genuine gamble, emphasizing that the team maintained its support even through difficult periods. He noted how quickly time has passed since Antonelli was an 11-year-old in junior karting garages. Wolff recalled that doubts began to surface after a challenging year in F2 and intensified when Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari, prompting Mercedes to immediately place Antonelli in the car.
The Team Principal revealed that the skepticism was significant enough to cause two sponsors to leave the team, questioning who the young driver was. While some partners departed, others remained loyal and are now reaping the rewards of their continued faith. Wolff highlighted the harsh criticism Antonelli faced, with many suggesting he should have been relegated to a smaller team following his scoreless debut season and emotional moments in Spa.
Beyond his on-track performance, Wolff commended Antonelli's ability to integrate into the team and interact with partners. He observed that the Italian driver's warm personality has transformed the garage environment, noting how Antonelli's habit of hugging colleagues has even influenced the typically reserved British staff to become more affectionate. Wolff expressed pride in seeing Antonelli balance his professional maturity with youthful enjoyment, such as visiting a waterpark with friends for his birthday, describing it as a wonderful aspect of his character.
Sources: Formula 1.