Mercedes boss explains why 'no other team' would have taken a chance on Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has said that no other team would have been brave enough to put Kimi Antonelli in their team.
The Grand Prix prodigy has become F1’s youngest-ever champion, but was not tipped for success before this season.
Now the Silver Arrows principal has said he believes it was his team’s unique approach which put the Italian on a path to F1 glory.
Mercedes boss says Kimi Antonelli wouldn’t have made it at another F1 team
Signed up by Mercedes when he was just 11 years old and in karting, Kimi Antonelli has long been tipped for F1 success.
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However, after a disappointing season in Formula 2 during 2024, with a couple of wins but many uninspiring performances too, many felt the Italian still needed more time to develop.
Despite that, the shock departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari left Mercedes with a seat to fill, and Wolff decided to take a chance on Antonelli.
After the Italian became F1's youngest ever champion this year at the age of 20 years and 68 days, many have since hailed the wisdom of the decision.
The German says he’s not convinced some of his rival principals would have made the same choice, though.
“What I’m particularly proud [about is that], I don't think he would’ve lasted in other teams," Wolff said.
“After an F2 season which wasn’t overwhelming and this spell of nine races without any points last year [in 2025 for Mercedes], we trusted our data, we trusted our feelings about the personality and the potential.
“Because there are so many that came out [after Antonelli’s F1 title] and said ‘What a talent’, but that wasn’t the journey. The journey was developing the latent, nurturing, mentoring, shielding him, protecting him and eventually he and the car has just delivered absolutely amazingly.”
The Mercedes deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, posted on social media an email where Wolff expressed his gratitude to the rest of the team in putting faith in Antonelli also.
He explained in Brazil why he felt the need to do this.
“I got so much praise on Sunday night [after Antonelli’s title in Mexico] about giving him the opportunity, and in Italy [in particular], and it's something that makes me very proud.
“But I felt I needed to give credit to all the people that weren’t so much in the spotlight and this didn’t even do it justice because there are many more who are part of the decision-making process, and getting him to where he was, and that’s why I felt like I need to at least express my gratitude.”
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Toto Wolff opens up on George Russell’s disastrous F1 season for Mercedes
In sharp contrast to Antonelli, George Russell has struggled massively in 2026, a few race wins punctuated by disheartening drops in form.
Wolff explained he has faith, though, in the Brit to get his performances back on track.
“The Sunday [in Mexico] was a difficult day for George of course, but he issuch a professional that on the Monday morning, first thing, I got a call from him, and it was just about: ‘How can I optimise my set-up, how can I optimise my structure, what do I 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.”
Topics: Formula 1, Mercedes, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli
James Elson
