Toto Wolff doesn’t hold back: “Sometimes we’ll tear our hair out over Kimi Antonelli”. Toto Wolff feels 2025 will be one of managing expectations for the young Kimi Antonelli.

Post-Lewis Hamilton era
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 debut season is just around the corner, with the young Italian driver set to share the Mercedes garage with George Russell. It’s no small task for the 18-year-old, who was crowned Formula Regional European champion in 2023, moved straight to Formula 2 this year, and has already been promoted to Formula 1 for 2025, stepping into the seat of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Additionally, Kimi Antonelli will bring the Italian flag back to F1 for the first time since 2021.

The Monza Mistake
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has always highlighted the talent of the driver nurtured within Brackley’s Junior Team. This year, Antonelli completed private tests and participated in an FP1 session at his home race in Monza, where his promotion for 2025 was officially announced. However, during that session, Kimi Antonelli’s outing ended almost immediately after a mistake at the Parabolica.

Expectations for 2025
Excessive tension may have led to the error, but as the championship approaches, Toto Wolff now expects his driver to learn the ropes, both the good and the bad: “In 2025, the regulations will remain the same, and you can see that the hierarchy changes depending on the track,” the Austrian manager explained to the media. “I think there’s an opportunity to fight for victories and, if possible, even for the championship. George will settle in as the lead and experienced driver, and Kimi will learn. Sometimes we’ll tear our hair out, and other times we’ll witness moments of brilliance. It will be a year of managing expectations for Kimi and preparing our driver line-up for 2026.”