Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes Trusts in the Future, Monza the Awakening?

Wolff Confirms His Confidence in Antonelli Despite Challenges

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed that it took him only five minutes to decide who would replace Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time champion’s departure. The choice fell on Kimi Antonelli, a young driver who has faced challenges in his debut season in Formula 1. Despite the difficulties, Wolff maintains his faith in Antonelli’s potential. The Mercedes director believes the team is willing to endure the ups and downs of Antonelli’s rookie season, understanding that each race is a learning opportunity for the future.

When we made it clear last year in Monza that we would give him the opportunity, we were also saying that we would give him a year of learning.

Toto Wolff

Antonelli’s performance has been the subject of debate, especially after some on-track errors, such as collisions with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. However, Wolff insists that the team is committed to Antonelli’s long-term development.

• 2025 Italian GP – Monza: Times, predictions, statistics, and data.
• How Piastri changed the fate of McLaren and Alpine.
• Marko praises Hadjar, will he be next at Red Bull?

Wolff acknowledges that the pressure on Antonelli has been high, and points out that the decision to debut the young driver in the practice of the Monza Grand Prix, the previous year, may have been a mistake. The accident in that session seems to have left a mark on Antonelli’s confidence.

Technical director James Allison commented that the team has been encouraging Antonelli to trust his talent and take more risks on the track. In the first six races of 2025, Antonelli showed glimpses of his potential, but the introduction of a new rear suspension package affected his performance. The driver struggled to adapt to the new configurations, which led to difficulties in his performance. The nine remaining races of 2025 offer Antonelli the opportunity to improve his performance before the pressure increases next year, when Mercedes is expected to compete for the championship. Wolff emphasizes that Antonelli is a long-term project and that the team is willing to give him the necessary time to develop. Despite the challenges, Wolff maintains his confidence in Antonelli’s ability to reach his full potential.