Wolff: Antonelli Will Reach His Zenith in 3-5 Years
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff predicts rookie Kimi Antonelli will need 3-5 years to hit his peak, emphasizing the importance of his 2025 start for acclimatizing before the 2026 rules overhaul.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff is playing the long game with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, predicting the 18-year-old will reach his peak in three to five years. Despite a season where he was often outpaced by George Russell, Wolff is satisfied with Antonelli's progress, which included three podium finishes. The Austrian argues that throwing the Italian into the deep end in 2025 was a crucial strategic move to prepare him for the sport's massive 2026 technical reset.
Why it matters:
Antonelli is viewed as the cornerstone of Mercedes' future, a potential championship contender to carry the team forward in the post-George Russell era. Wolff's public backing and clear timeline are designed to shield the young driver from immense pressure, fostering his development. This long-term strategy signals Mercedes' focus on sustained success rather than immediate results, especially with the 2026 regulations promising a reset of the competitive order.
The details:
- Antonelli's rookie season yielded three podiums: a P2 in São Paulo and P3 finishes in both Montreal and Las Vegas.
- He showed clear progression throughout the year, closing the gap to his experienced teammate and occasionally beating him outright in the final third of the season.
- Wolff's Prognosis: "Kimi will reach his zenith in three to five years. And we have to give him that time," Wolff stated on the Beyond The Grid podcast, emphasizing the need for patience.
- The 2025 Rationale: Wolff insisted it was "essential" for Antonelli to debut this year. "In 2026, technically everything will be new, but he now already knows the team, our processes, and feels at home."
- The Italian fast-tracked his way to F1, winning titles in F4 and Formula Regional before skipping Formula 3 and spending just one season in Formula 2.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Antonelli's development during the 2026 season, where new power unit and chassis regulations are expected to level the playing field. With a full year of experience under his belt, the expectation will be for him to challenge Russell more consistently and potentially fight for victories. Wolff's concluding remark was unequivocal: "Without a doubt, everything is going in the right direction."