Toto Wolff defined why the highlights of ’s rookie Method 1 season have all come at unfamiliar circuits after he completed second on the Brazilian Grand Prix.
, after taking third place in Canada, with the opposite constructive spotlight of Antonelli’s marketing campaign being when the driver took pole for the Miami dash race.
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However these are three tracks he hadn’t beforehand raced at and often one would count on a rookie to be stronger across the circuits they visited throughout their days within the junior formulation.
That hasn’t been the case for Antonelli although, as a result of throughout the 9 mid-season European rounds, he solely claimed two point-scores amid a really up-and-down season for the Italian who’s seventh within the standings.
His constructive outcomes have been marred by a number of crashes and useless errors, .
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So Mercedes boss Wolff thinks not experiencing such adulation from followers at non-European rounds has truly helped Antonelli, who held off a late cost from at Interlagos to maintain second.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Workforce Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Workforce Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG
“All weekend he was robust,” mentioned Wolff, as Antonelli additionally completed second within the Sao Paulo dash. “Possibly it was coming to a observe that he did not know – it is a bit simpler.
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“Expectations are perhaps decrease. Possibly stress is just not as excessive as a number of the Europeans after which the execution was faultless on the finish: with the ability to fend off Max on a more moderen and softer tyre, nicely that was actually robust and testomony to what’s to return.”
F1 has maybe been Antonelli’s first time towards superior opposition, given he has a supreme junior file with 4 titles throughout 2022 and 2023 which led to him being fast-tracked into F2.
He has a very robust team-mate in and Wolff thinks that could possibly be one other think about how Antonelli has simply wanted time to regulate to the premiere collection.
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“I feel it is also managing his personal expectations, he is so younger, he is simply 19 years previous,” mentioned Wolff. “You come to a observe the place you’ve got carried out very nicely prior to now, a number of the European ones, after which on the again foot.
“You could have a sensational team-mate that’s pretty much as good because it will get, and I feel coming to a observe that you do not know is nearly like much less stress, your expectations are decrease, everyone else’s expectations are decrease, the sort of fan stress is lower than on a number of the European tracks, and I feel that performs a giant position.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
There was even debate over Antonelli’s future for 2026, as discuss of Verstappen becoming a member of Mercedes was strife throughout the summer season till the four-time world champion publicly dedicated to Crimson Bull.
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Antonelli has since had his contract renewed and Wolff insisted that the extension was at all times a part of the plan, having by no means doubted the teen even throughout his poor kind midseason.
“I used to be at all times assured he’ll get the mandatory grip, that is why it was at all times clear that Kimi goes to stick with us subsequent yr,” mentioned Wolff. “So there was little doubt that with these difficult vehicles, the administration of the tyres is one thing that it is advisable be taught.
“In that respect, that is an incredible outcome. One of many good days. Like I mentioned, there have been many harder [occasions], however there was not a single second of doubt in how he is coming, however I at all times attempt to dampen the expectations on him.
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“The Italians talked concerning the legend Kimi Antonelli after Montreal, after Miami, and that is an extra stress. So let’s hold each toes on the bottom. He was second, he fended off Max right this moment, that was very spectacular, however we wish to win races and combat for championships.”
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