Toto Wolff highlights 'unexpected' elements to Kimi Antonelli F1 title charge

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed being caught off guard by elements of Kimi Antonelli's performances this year in his charge towards an F1 drivers' title in only his second season.

Antonelli's campaign has been transformative compared to what unfolded throughout his debut year, in particular, in the middle part of the season in Europe when he struggled for results and points.

Now, Antonelli has won six of the 10 grands prix to lead Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings by 45 points, whilst team-mate George Russell is a further five points adrift following his DNF in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

"We are all surprised," said Wolff, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, following the race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in explaining the difference between Antonelli this year compared to last term.

"The first season was as expected. Great moments where his talent shone through, and moments which were very difficult - the long spell of results in the middle of the season.

"Then after the winter, also as expected, he knew the environment, the pressures, the demands of the team on the technical side, on the marketing side, and knowing the tracks where we would go racing.

"But what was not expected is the serenity and structure that he has brought into his game."

Wolff feels that has been highlighted by what he has witnessed off track more than on it.

"With Kimi, whether a session has been good or bad, you don't see a difference in his emotions in the debrief," Wolff added. "It is absolutely transactional - What is the problem? How do we solve it? How do we move on? And that is new.

"That's why, it's almost when he wins, you can't see this absolute excitement that a 19-year-old would almost have.

"At the same time, when he fails to deliver results, in Barcelona when we had the car stoppage, or even in Silverstone, he comes back in, and he is the one saying to the team, 'This is a mechanical sport; these things can happen'. [He is] 19 years old!

"That is very, very impressive to see. This mindset and this attitude are probably the main drivers that have allowed the talent to shine so early in his career."