Wolff makes Kimi Antonelli ‘wouldn’t have lasted’ Mercedes claim
Kimi Antonelli is world champion
Had Kimi Antonelli raced for any other team than Mercedes, then he “wouldn’t have lasted” through the setbacks en route to becoming world champion.
That is the claim made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who praised his driver for riding the journey to championship glory.
Kimi Antonelli could have only lasted at Mercedes, says Wolff
Antonelli realised the ultimate dream at the Mexican Grand Prix where he secured the F1 2026 Drivers’ title, thus becoming the youngest world champion in the sport’s history.
After a challenging rookie season, few had expected the Italian to emerge as Mercedes’ next champion.
That story could be traced back a year further to his 2024 Formula 2 campaign, which had also proven tricky at times, and fuelled doubts over his call-up to Mercedes, as an 18-year-old replacement to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Wolff believes that only Mercedes could have got Antonelli through the tough times and out the other side.
“What I’m particularly proud of is that I don’t think he would have lasted in other teams, after an F2 season which wasn’t overwhelming, and this spell of nine races without any points last year,” Wolff told Sky F1.
“And that we just trusted our data, trusted our feeling about the personality and the potential.
“Because there’s so many that came out now and said, ‘What a talent!’ That wasn’t the journey. The journey was developing the talent, nurturing, mentoring, shielding him, protecting him, and eventually, he in the car has just delivered absolutely amazingly.”
Antonelli is Mercedes’ first Drivers’ champion since Hamilton in 2020. The Silver Arrows is also set to regain its grasp on the Constructors’ crown.
Wolff was asked how the last week felt being back on top.
“The week was good. You realised that we won the championship with a very special young man.
“It was a positive week. I wake up in the morning and I’m thinking that was a good one.”
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On the other side of the garage, George Russell’s mathematical title chances came to a close in Mexico City.
After a season of setbacks and struggles to find consistency which Russell deemed unprecedented in his career, the Brit admitted that he needed “to just get out of here” after that race.
However, Wolff evidenced just how quickly the Brit reset and refocused.
“Sunday was a difficult day for George, of course,” said the Mercedes boss. “But he’s so professional and resilient that on the Monday morning, first thing, I got a call from him, and this was just about how can I optimise my setup, how can I optimise the structure, what do we need to do in order to perform better for the rest of the season and for next year.
“So he’s completely on it, and that’s George.”
Mercedes will win the Constructors’ title if the team outscores Ferrari by three points in Sao Paulo.
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