Formula 1 had a remarkable moment in qualifying for the Miami GP, with young Kimi Antonelli securing pole position. The performance impressed Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, who did not spare praise for the Italian driver.
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The result reinforces Antonelli’s good form, who took the lead in the championship after consecutive wins at the Chinese and Japanese GPs. Furthermore, the pole came after beating strong names like Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc on the starting grid.
Wolff especially highlighted the young driver’s first fast lap, decisive for securing the honor position. “That first lap was really special, because he was three tenths or more ahead of the next. Spectacular, and that guaranteed the pole,” he said. The manager also emphasized the driver’s aggressive style, adding: “We have confidence, and sometimes he overdoes it, but that’s how he is.”
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The team boss also pointed out improvement in car control by Antonelli. According to Wolff, mistakes that previously could have resulted in accidents are now just lost laps. “It’s already an improvement, because before that would have ended in the wall. Now it’s just a wasted lap, but he is showing his speed, and that’s very good to see,” he explained.
Mercedes’ choice of the young driver was questioned after Lewis Hamilton left for Ferrari, but Wolff defended the decision. “You can look like a fool or someone who got it right. The grassroots program is very careful, and from karting to F2 he showed pace and speed. Now it’s development, and we gave him space to make mistakes. There’s more to come,” he concluded.
