Andrea Kimi Antonelli made history at the Chinese Grand Prix, but there has always been someone who supported and protected him even during the most difficult moments: Toto Wolff.
It is a historic day for Italian motorsport, with Antonelli claiming victory in the Chinese Grand Prix. Part of the credit also goes to Toto Wolff, who has believed in the young Italian talent from the very beginning. The Mercedes team principal decided to place Kimi Antonelli in the car in 2025, replacing a seven-time world champion, and he has always supported and protected him along the way.
Despite the difficulties encountered last season, Kimi always enjoyed the trust of what many describe as his “second father,” and today he proved that this confidence was well placed.
In fact, Toto Wolff had already said last year that the 2025 season would represent a crucial transition period for Kimi Antonelli, allowing him to grow and arrive stronger in 2026. That prediction has now become reality. The Italian driver secured his first Formula 1 victory in only the second race of the new season, finishing almost nine seconds ahead of George Russell and demonstrating extraordinary race pace in terms of both consistency and lap times.
Even at the start of the race he remained calm and composed, successfully holding onto second position during the opening phase — a key factor that ultimately prevented him from losing too much time early in the race.
Wolff praises Antonelli and answers the critics
Toto Wolff has always treated Kimi Antonelli and his family with great respect, having known them for many years now. Speaking about the young driver, Wolff said: “I like everything about him, from his family to all the people who are now part of the tradition and the team.”
Addressing the criticism and the challenges Antonelli faced last season, the Mercedes team principal added: “Even last year we always said that he needed a year to develop and then have a second year where he could really attack. And today he did exactly that. He won the second race of the season, it’s incredible.”
Wolff also compared Kimi Antonelli with his other driver after the Chinese Grand Prix: “Today Kimi also showed George that he can go faster than him and match him on track. He showed a lot of maturity, and compared to last year I see him calmer and more aware.”
At the end, there was even time for a light-hearted moment as Wolff referred to the podium completed by Lewis Hamilton: “Today we finished first, second, third, right?”
The triumph in Shanghai isn’t just a win for Antonelli; it is a strategic vindication for Toto Wolff and the entire Mercedes junior program. By shielding the young Italian from the intense media pressure of 2025, the team boss allowed a potential superstar to ripen without being crushed by expectation. The fact that Antonelli managed to soundly beat a proven race winner like Russell in equal machinery suggests that the internal power dynamic at Brackley is shifting far sooner than many anticipated. As the 2026 season moves forward, the “calmness” Wolff observed will be Kimi’s greatest weapon in what is shaping up to be a fierce intra-team title fight.
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