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Toto Wolff told Kimi Antonelli to ‘stop with this nonsense’ during annoyed Chinese GP radio message

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Despite driving a near-perfect race, a late error from Kimi Antonelli led to Toto Wolff warning the young driver not to get ahead of himself.

Antonelli managed to win his first Grand Prix in Shanghai, as George Russell completed the Mercedes one-two.

Antonelli earned plaudits from Lewis Hamilton, his predecessor at Mercedes, after reaching a massive career milestone.

Kimi Antonelli becomes the second youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history! The first of many for the youngster? 🤔

Credit: Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Even Max Verstappen had praise for Antonelli, backing the young driver to win many more races as his career goes on.

But even with the near-universal praise, an ill-timed lock-up late in the race led to Toto Wolff reminding Kimi Antonelli not to get carried away.

READ MORE: Toto Wolff admits Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes drivers sharing China podium is a career highlight

Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Toto Wolff, Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrate in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 15, 2026 in Shanghai, China.
Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Toto Wolff had to tell Kimi Antonelli to stop jeopardising the Chinese GP win

Toto Wolff spoke to F1 TV right after the Chinese Grand Prix, hiding his adulation behind his ever-composed demeanour.

When discussing Antonelli’s late-race lock-up, Wolff revealed that he told Peter Bonnington to get Kimi Antonelli to calm down and not do anything that could risk their inevitable race win.

“That’s typical Kimi, and I said to Bono, ‘Tell him to stop with this nonsense. We just need to drive it home, we don’t need any fastest laps anymore.’ But that’s him.”

Wolff clearly didn’t show any anger or frustration with his comments. Rather, he treated the instance as yet another example of his youth and inexperience.

Of course, these types of instances are inevitable. But Wolff was undoubtedly pleased with the way his young driver managed the pressure to win his first race.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen sends message to Kimi Antonelli after record-breaking Chinese Grand Prix pole

Some sensational performances in Shanghai 🔥 Who is your pick for Driver of the Day at the Chinese Grand Prix?

Who should win Driver of the Day for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix?
Credit: Mercedes-Benz Group AG/Scuderia Ferrari HP Press Office/Haas F1 Team/BWT Alpine Formula One Team

Kimi Antonelli could find himself in championship battle in second season

Antonelli is currently second in the drivers’ standings with 47 points, just four points behind his teammate, George Russell.

Mercedes’ dominance in the first two race weekends of the season has been nothing short of remarkable, and Antonelli has had a massive role to play in that.

Peter Bonnington believes Antonelli has elevated himself this season. And it’s hard to argue against that claim right now.

While Antonelli’s erratic driving to compete with Russell could cost the team points in the future, he cannot be ruled out of the title race anytime soon.