Toto Wolff Defends Kimi Antonelli After Las Vegas F1 Recovery
Toto Wolff believes Kimi Antonelli is meeting expectations despite being "parachuted" into F1, especially after the young driver's impressive recovery in Las Vegas. Antonelli defied odds to secure a podium, showcasing his potential as he navigates the intense pressures of a top-tier team, according to Wolff, who expects continued growth in the coming seasons.
Toto Wolff has come to the defense of Kimi Antonelli, stating that the young driver is living up to expectations despite being "parachuted" into F1. This follows Antonelli's impressive recovery drive in Las Vegas, where he defied expectations to secure a podium finish.
Why it matters:
Kimi Antonelli's journey into Formula 1 has been closely watched, especially with his direct entry into a top team. Wolff's comments underline the immense pressure on young talents and the importance of supporting their development through initial struggles, particularly as Antonelli is seen as a key part of Mercedes' future.
The Details:
- In the Las Vegas race, Antonelli started 17th on soft tires, an unconventional strategy.
- He made an early pit stop under a virtual safety car, switching to hard tires, and began a remarkable climb through the field.
- Despite initial expectations for a second stop, Antonelli managed a one-stop strategy, holding off Oscar Piastri's McLaren to run fourth on merit.
- A five-second time penalty for a false start initially dropped him, but subsequent disqualifications of both McLarens propelled him to a third-place finish.
- This result marked his third career podium and moved him within 15 points of Lewis Hamilton in the standings, the driver he replaced.
- Antonelli's performance has noticeably improved since the F1 season moved to the Americas, with all three podiums occurring in this leg.
Between the lines:
Wolff emphasized that Antonelli's trajectory is "what I expected," acknowledging the inherent challenges for a 19-year-old thrust into a major F1 team. He highlighted the pressures of travel, competition, and public scrutiny that Antonelli is now experiencing, suggesting these are crucial for his long-term development.
What's next:
Wolff expressed confidence that Antonelli will continue to mature, expecting "completely different" and more consistent performances in 2026 as he gains more experience and physical maturity. He sees Antonelli's current season as merely the "very early stages" of his development, with many solid performances anticipated in the years to come.