Toto Wolff on Kimi Antonelli’s Remarkable Rise to F1 Champion with Mercedes

Toto Wolff has shared his thoughts on Kimi Antonelli's impressive journey with Mercedes after the young Italian secured his first Formula 1 World Championship title at the Mexico City Grand Prix. This victory marks Antonelli as the youngest World Champion, achieved in just his second F1 season. The 20-year-old clinched the title with a third-place finish on Sunday, rounding off a season that included nine Grand Prix wins.

Antonelli's rapid ascent in F1 is a stark contrast to his debut season, where he went scoreless in ten races, prompting some to question Mercedes' decision to elevate him from junior single-seaters so quickly. Despite these doubts, Wolff described the decision to promote Antonelli as "a calculated risk, not a real risk," and emphasized the team's unwavering support during the tough times.

Reflecting on Antonelli's journey, Wolff noted, "It feels like just yesterday he was a young boy in junior karting. Time flies. He conquered the junior formula, had a challenging year in F2, and that's when skepticism really began. When Lewis [Hamilton] informed me he was heading to Ferrari, my immediate thought was to give Antonelli a chance. Naturally, there were doubters."

Wolff acknowledged that some sponsors left Mercedes due to this decision. "Who is this kid?" they wondered. But others stayed, and now they share in the success. "People said he didn’t belong in F1, maybe at a smaller team, especially after those ten races with no points," Wolff added. "Yet here we are, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team for sticking with him."

Beyond his on-track achievements, Wolff also praised Antonelli's off-track demeanor, noting how his personality has positively influenced the team. "He’s got a winning way about him," Wolff commented. "It's amusing to see this Italian boy hug everyone in the garage, even the typically stiff British folks, who are now hugging each other. It’s a delightful change."

Wolff recounted a moment that encapsulates Antonelli's youthful spirit: "He's only 20. His maturity on track and interactions with partners are impressive, yet for his birthday, he heads to a waterpark with friends. It’s wonderful. I needed to speak with him, but Kimi was off enjoying himself. And we love that about him."