Toto Wolff delivers new Kimi Antonelli verdict after Baku breakthrough

Toto Wolff has praised Kimi Antonelli for a "really good rebound" from his Monza disaster after claiming fourth in the Azerbaijan GP.

Antonelli started fourth and was in the leading quintet of cars which broke away in the early stages, later using DRS to finally clear Liam Lawson after undercutting the Racing Bulls driver. 

Team-mate George Russell ultimately finished in second after starting one place behind, after being out-qualified by the Italian for the first time since Miami.

With fourth in Baku, Antonelli recorded his best finish since his podium in Canada, finishing just 2.561s behind Carlos Sainz.

The performance came just two weeks after sharp criticism from Wolff, who had branded the 19-year-old's performance in the Italian GP as "underwhelming" after finishing a penalised ninth, picking up a penalty point. 

On this occasion, Antonelli's display earned some credit back from Wolff.

"It was a really good rebound after Monza," Wolff told the media, including RacingNews365. 

"He had such a difficult spell with the European races, and coming here with a solid P4 and running at the front, in the front group, is something to continue to build on and consolidate, and then have more good weekends until the end of the year.

"I think we always speak very openly with each other; there is no such thing as holding back. 

"He was not meeting his own expectations with what happened in Monza, where the driving just wasn't what he expected or wanted it to be. 

"Maybe a bit was missing in ultimate performance that maybe made the difference between a podium or not, but it was such a good consolidation, and in my opinion, it was important to score that result."