Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff emphasizes that Andrea Kimi Antonelli had to compete directly with one of the best drivers in the field in his first Formula 1 season.
When assessing Kimi Antonelli’s rookie season in Formula 1, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says it’s important to consider who was sitting in the second Mercedes in 2025. In George Russell, the Italian had perhaps the toughest opponent in the entire field.
While Russell won two races for Mercedes this year and finished on the podium a total of nine times, Antonelli “only” managed three podium finishes in his first Formula 1 season. His best result was second place in Brazil.
Russell also had a clear lead in the World Championship, finishing with 319 points to 150. But Wolff made it clear to Sky in this context: “I think that in his current form, George is the strongest teammate you could have, perhaps along with Max [Verstappen].” In other words, another teammate in the same car would probably not have scored more than twice as many points as the rookie.
In any case, Wolff recalls, it was always clear that 2025 would be a “learning year” for the 19-year-old. “I don’t think anyone ever doubted his talent, his speed, and his abilities in a race car.
But I think we underestimated his age,“ Wolff admits, after Antonelli had a prolonged slump in the middle of the season. ”You’re thrown into this wild circus and have to cope with the pressure, the media, and your own expectations,” says Wolff, who is firmly convinced that Antonelli will have “a strong year” in the premier class in 2026 with more experience.
Nevertheless, Wolff does not want to be tempted to say that Antonelli could then be ready to fight for the world championship title if Mercedes provides him with a suitable car in the new year. ” I don’t want to put any more pressure on him,” explains Wolff. Antonelli moved straight up to Formula 1 this year after just one season in Formula 2, which he finished in sixth place overall. His teammate Russell was already in his seventh Formula 1 season in 2025, his fourth with the Mercedes factory team.