Kimi Antonelli’s first victory in Formula 1 generated enthusiasm in Italy, but also concern at Mercedes. The 19-year-old driver became the first Italian to win an F1 race in 20 years, since Giancarlo Fisichella, and the expectation about his future is now intense. Speaking to the press, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed his fear of the “hype” that the triumph in China could generate:
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“Firstly, you can see the hype that is going to start now, especially in Italy. I can already see the headlines: ‘World champion, great Kimi’ and all that. And that is really a bad thing, because those mistakes will come,” he stated. “He is just a kid, so it is too early even to think about a championship. We have a good car that, at this stage, is capable of winning.”
The Austrian also highlighted the team’s internal challenges and the sport’s behind-the-scenes dynamics: “Let’s see what kind of political knives will be sharpened in the coming weeks and months. But at the moment, it is a car that is capable of winning.”
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Currently, Antonelli is four points behind his teammate George Russell in the championship. Wolff recalled that, although both have equal opportunities, caution is necessary. “It is too early to talk about winning championships, and I think, as a young man, he just needs to mature. And he has a fantastic driver as a teammate, who has been in this position for eight years longer.”
In addition to the concern about the young driver’s development, Wolff commented on the historical weight of the victory. No Italian driver has won the F1 drivers’ championship since 1953, and Mercedes does not want Antonelli to carry all that pressure so early in his career.
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