Toto Wolff just proved he’s the best team boss in F1 after Kimi Antonelli’s ‘refocus’ admission

Follow us on Google Discover

Toto Wolff is the longest-serving team principal in the Formula 1 paddock right now, and is using all of that experience to help one of the most under-pressure drivers on the grid.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has broken records this season, including becoming the youngest driver to lead a race, score a fastest lap and earn a pole position, albeit it won’t officially count towards his tally as it came during the Sprint Race in Miami.

Antonelli has also surpassed Lewis Hamilton’s rookie points tally, although the change in scoring system means this isn’t a particularly fair comparison.

When Hamilton decided to leave Mercedes, it gave Toto Wolff a difficult decision to make.

Mercedes were linked with Carlos Sainz, among other drivers, to replace the seven-time world champion, but Wolff kept his faith in Antonelli.

A promising start to 2025 was followed up by a torrid European leg of the season for Antonelli; however, he’s now shared how Wolff helped him recover from his slump, with the recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix the best weekend of his F1 career to date.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Kimi Antonelli credits Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for helping him ‘refocus’ in 2025

Antonelli was speaking to the Swiss outlet Blick about his difficulties halfway through the 2025 season.

The Italian scored 18 points between the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix, although 15 of those points came in Canada when he achieved his first F1 podium.

Speaking about the experience, Antonelli said: “We had some mechanical problems, and with the new suspension, I simply couldn’t find a rhythm.

“I didn’t feel comfortable in the cockpit because nothing seemed to fit together anymore.”

When it was mentioned his results weren’t good enough, Antonelli continued: “Exactly. That made me even more nervous.

“I constantly put myself under pressure, overdid it, made mistakes I never normally made.”

When asked what ‘pulled him out of that slump’, Antonelli credited Wolff as well as his father and said: “My boss, Toto Wolff, and my father.

“They each gave me a good kick after Monza. Those verbal rebukes and pieces of advice hurt, but I needed that reset.

“I had to refocus on the important things to get back to my old form. I never would have gotten out of that mess on my own. A long meeting with my engineers also helped.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff now set to benefit from putting his faith in Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes

Wolff delayed handing Antonelli and his teammate George Russell new contracts for far longer than many people expected.

Mercedes have long held an interest in Max Verstappen, but even when he committed to racing for Red Bull in 2026, their new deals weren’t immediately announced.

Antonelli is said to have signed a new multi-year deal, but less is known about his extension compared to Russell’s.

Russell has admitted that if certain performance clauses are met next year, it will be impossible for Mercedes to replace him.

This puts more pressure on Antonelli, knowing that if Red Bull’s car under the new regulations is uncompetitive, Verstappen will be looking for a way out.

However, Wolff deserves a lot of credit for helping Antonelli get out of his rut during a rookie season where the spotlight has been firmly on him.

He will know full well how demanding Italian Formula 1 fans are, and even though he’s not racing for Ferrari, many would love to see him win, even if it meant their precious Scuderia once again missed out.