Toto Wolff explains why Kimi Antonelli has been under ‘enormous’ pressure in rookie F1 season with Mercedes

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has explained why he thinks Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been under such ‘enormous’ pressure during his rookie Formula 1 campaign.

Joining the grid as a wide-eyed 18-year-old with just a single season of F2 experience, Antonelli’s fourth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix in March showed signs of the youngster being the subject of an incredibly competitive rookie season with Mercedes.

A Sprint race pole position further reinforced the Italian’s raw talent, but a tricky run of results after that, split by an anomalous podium in Canada, raised the question of Antonelli’s readiness for the demanding category that is Formula 1.

The Mercedes driver went on to secure just three points over the course of the traditional European leg of the season. Antonelli identified the ‘unnecessary’ amount of pressure that he put on himself as the reason for his drop off in form.

However, Wolff thinks the pressure that has hindered his performances has come from elsewhere, as stated in an interview with Autosport.

READ MORE: Why Kimi Antonelli’s contract extension signals he is more than just a safety net for Mercedes

Toto Wolff thinks Kimi Antonelli has been under ‘enormous’ pressure because he is an Italian F1 driver

After securing a drive with the works Mercedes team for the 2025 season, it was clear that Antonelli would feel the stress of filling Lewis Hamilton’s seat, but the Silver Arrows team principal believes the spotlight has been on the youngster due to the fact that he is a promising Italian talent in F1.

“It was always good to know that we had George [Russell] as one of the best drivers and then bringing Kimi on was a long-term plan,” Wolff told journalists in New York. 

“We knew that giving him one year in the current regulations would be tough because all of these drivers have driven those ground effect cars. The tyres are very tricky to understand. 

“Many racetracks that he hasn’t been to before and then the enormous media pressure that comes when you’re an Italian – this country has been starved for a world champion for 50, 60 years.

“All of that has happened, all of that led to good results. I think the highlight was certainly the pole in the sprint in Miami and the podium in Montreal – but also to some very difficult races.”

Mercedes announced the extension of Antonelli and Russell’s deals ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.

The move marked a signal of faith in the 19-year-old driver, who will be able to use everything he has learned during a rookie term to record some more consistent results during F1’s new era of regulations in 2026.

READ MORE: Damon Hill makes George Russell and Kimi Antonelli ‘champion’ claim as Mercedes confirm 2026 line-up

Toto Wolff also noted how Mercedes have ‘shielded’ Kimi Antonelli following the European leg of the season

Antonelli bounced back when the circus turned up to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In a weekend marked by a record number of red flags in qualifying, the Mercedes driver kept his nose clean and out-qualified Russell before replicating his debut result with a fourth place in the Grand Prix.

He backed that up with a fifth place on the streets of Singapore in the most recent round of racing, and Wolff is certain that Antonelli will be able to continue his good form for the rest of the season, as well as into the upcoming one.

“The media pressure was enormous in Europe. And I think we’ve learned the lesson, we’ve shielded him a little bit,” the 53-year-old added. “The last two races were really good, back on track. 

“And next year is going to be a completely different starting point for him, having seen it all and being there. I’m sure it is going to be a very good one.”

Mercedes chief James Allison explained their change in approach with Antonelli during race weekends after his return to the top five in Baku.

A more crucial focus on working his way up during the different practice sessions across a race weekend has been paramount to Antonelli being able to get more comfortable in the car before letting it fly during the meaningful sessions.