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Toto Wolff has been quick to downplay comparing Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1 legends, but he knows that the Italian can be one of the great names in the sport.
The hype around the 19-year-old has exploded in recent months, with him leading the 2026 championship by 41 points after the first seven races. Antonelli won his first five races in F1 consecutively between China and Monaco.
After just one full season in the sport, he is already establishing himself as a title contender, and Mercedes have acted fast to protect him. Wolff has already limited Antonelli’s contact with the Italian press, as they are already perceiving him as a hero.
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Toto Wolff says Kimi Antonelli has ‘all the ingredients’ to be an all-time F1 great
It has not taken long for people to make comparisons between the young Italian and some of the legends of the sport. Martin Brundle likened Antonelli to Ayrton Senna after his grand slam victory – the first of his career – in Monaco.
Wolff disagreed with Brundle as part of his protection of his driver. The Austrian does not want expectations to grow too high, but even he knows that Antonelli could be a generational talent.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Speaking to TSN, the boss has seen from Antonelli’s junior career and his current trajectory in F1 that he has the ‘ingredients’ to become one of the greats of the sport. But he insists that it is all about how Mercedes can continue to develop him.
“I’m always a little bit wary of comparing a 19-year-old with some of the great names in Formula 1,” said Wolff.
“Why that is, is people grow and develop at different paces. Some are early, some come later. And in that respect, Kimi so far in his career, be it from all the junior formulas until now, has been outstanding.
In 10 years from now, where do you think Kimi Antonelli will rank among F1’s greatest drivers?
“Clearly, among the greatest in terms of that record. Is that going to continue over the long term in Formula 1? We shall find out.
“I think he has all of the ingredients of [a] great driver, but it’s about that we continue to nurture him, that he continues to develop like he does with the right frame of mind.
“And if that continues, I think his name will be known as one of the great ones in the sport.”
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