Toto Wolff says he was always confident about Andrea Kimi Antonelli coming through, he needed time to understand the complicated generation of cars.
After the highs before the European races, the pressure increased on Mercedes’ Anotonelli to deliver sound results. An early podium only added to it, which took a toll on the Italian as he struggled throughout the European leg. The confidence was taken a hit despite knowing the circuits.
Mercedes pulled down the updates and some confidence was back for Antonelli and also George Russell. Post the European leg, the Italian found some of his mojo back and off-late, he has secured good results apart from Austin. And the recently ended Brazil remains standout.
He was second all-through sprint and the main race behind Lando Norris. In fact, he resisted late pressure from Max Verstappen in the grand prix to add to his race craft. Team boss Wolff was always confident on Antonelli continuing with Mercedes despite the European season’s dip.
He noted that the complicated cars of current generation may seem easy to drive for a rookie, but they need to get on top of it still to extract results. Wolff tried to lower expectations on Antonelli, so that there is no added pressure on the rookie to deliver at every grand prix.
“No, I was always confident he’s going get the grip, the necessary grip,” said Wolff to media. “That’s why it was always clear that Kimi is going to stay with us next year also. So, there was no doubt that. With these complicated cars, the management of the tyres, nurturing them, it is something that you need to learn. And in that respect, Brazil is a great result [for him].
“One of the good days, there were many more difficult, but there was not a single moment of doubt, in how he’s coming. But I always try to dampen the expectations on him. The Italians talked about the legend, Kimi Antonelli, after Montreal or after the Miami pole, and that’s an additional pressure. So, just keep both feet on the ground. He was second, he fended off Max in Brazil. That was very impressive. But we want to win races and fight for championships,” summed up Wolff.
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