Toto Wolff urges caution over Kimi Antonelli’s media coverage in Italy. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff urges caution about Italian media hype surrounding young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Mercedes team principal and co-owner Toto Wolff is determined to protect his young driver.

After Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first career podium at the recent Canadian Grand Prix, Italian media gave extensive coverage to the 18-year-old from Bologna. It was the first time in over 15 years (since Jarno Trulli’s 2009 Japanese GP podium) that an Italian driver finished in the top three of a race.

At the Friday press conference at the Red Bull Ring, Toto Wolff sought to shield Kimi Antonelli and temper the excitement around the young driver: “In Italy, enthusiasm for Kimi is enormous, but Italian newspaper headlines calling him a legend are dangerous and do not help. We must create a shield around him and avoid putting too much pressure on him,” he told reporters, as reported by our correspondent Carlo Platella.

Kimi Antonelli’s trajectory
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first ten races in Formula 1 have been very positive, with one podium, six points finishes, and six qualifying sessions in the top three rows.

Toto Wolff commented: “For Kimi, it is important to maintain this growth trajectory. Throughout the year, we have given him plenty of space to explore or push when he feels ready.”