Kimi Antonelli continues to impress in Formula 1 in 2026, but Toto Wolff is already beginning to show concern about the external pressure on the young Mercedes driver. After the dominant victory at the Miami GP, the executive stated that the biggest challenge now may come off the track.
Read more F1: Wolff defends Russell after tough weekend in Miami
The Italian, only 19 years old, secured his third consecutive win of the season and extended his championship lead to 20 points over George Russell, his teammate. Additionally, Antonelli became the youngest driver in F1 history to lead the championship and also the first to achieve his first three wins starting from pole position.
Wolff did not hide his admiration for the driver’s performance in Miami. “For me, this was his best race so far. It reminded me of the karting or Formula 4 days, today there were no mistakes,” said the Mercedes boss after the race held around the Hard Rock Stadium. Antonelli took the lead after the pit stop on lap 26 and controlled the advantage until the checkered flag, finishing just over three seconds ahead of Lando Norris.
Read more F1: Montoya criticizes Verstappen for racing with Mercedes cars in GT3
Despite the impressive performance, Wolff emphasized that the team needs to manage the Italian’s exposure. According to him, Mercedes manages to keep Antonelli focused internally, something that also receives help from the driver’s family. “The easiest part is ensuring he keeps his feet on the ground within the team. His parents played an important role in this,” he explained.
On the other hand, the executive believes that the euphoria in Italy could become a problem. Wolff compared Antonelli’s popularity to that of tennis player Jannik Sinner, Madrid Masters champion and also a declared Formula 1 fan. “The biggest problem is the Italian public. Since they did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, now it’s all about Sinner and Antonelli. There are many demands on his time, from the media and sponsors, so it’s up to us to put the brakes on this,” he concluded.
Read more Colapinto says Miami GP was the «most perfect weekend» in F1
