Mercedes outlines three-year roadmap for Kimi Antonelli’s rise to the top. Toto Wolff spoke about the talent of the young Italian driver.

Toto Wolff spoke about the talent of the young Italian driver, comparing his learning curve to that of Oscar Piastri

His first career podium
In his first ten Formula 1 races, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has scored 63 points, secured his first career podium with third place in Montreal, and showcased his talent in qualifying by reaching the top five on four occasions.
Overall, the 18-year-old from Bologna is certainly making a strong impression, and even in Italy, the spotlight is beginning to shine on Kimi Antonelli. Last Sunday, he even took over the small space usually dedicated to motorsport on the front pages of sports newspapers, pushing aside coverage of Ferrari’s victory at Le Mans.

Mercedes is backing Kimi Antonelli
Speaking on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit podcast, Toto Wolff responded to questions about Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has sparked great curiosity among interviewers: “A lot has changed in recent years, because tyre management has become really difficult. It’s not just about being fast in qualifying or the race, but about using the tyres without sliding and overheating them. And young drivers now have to deal with all of this.”

Toto Wolff was asked how long it would take Antonelli to challenge the top names in the sport: “A good example is Oscar Piastri, who is now leading the championship. It took him a year and a half to reach Lando Norris’s level, and this is the first year he’s ahead. I think it all comes down to tyre management. In Kimi’s case, we also have to remember that he doesn’t know all the tracks yet – even Montreal was a first for him, and that’s a big disadvantage.”

Toto Wolff concluded by emphasizing the soundness of Mercedes’ choice: “We’re probably looking at a three-year program and acknowledging that this is the time a young driver needs to challenge a more experienced and super-fast teammate. I mean, George is among the best F1 drivers today and time must be given. But we would never have given a seat to a driver we didn’t believe could become a world champion in the future.”