Toto Wolff reacts after Kimi Antonelli left 'stressed' by unusual Mercedes decision

Kimi Antonelli reflected on being left feeling "stressed" at the start of the final push laps during Q3 at Silverstone, but Toto Wolff lauded him for how he responded to the unexpected adversity.

The Mercedes driver claimed an emphatic pole position during qualifying at the British Grand Prix, despite being put in an awkward position by his team.

The 19-year-old topped the timing boards after the first runs in the last part of the grid-setting session and was less than impressed to find himself sent out first in the dying moments, meaning he would take the chequered flag first.

Unhappy at missing out on peak track evolution, the young Italian took to team radio to question the decision.

However, he overcame his frustration to go even quicker, setting a time that was ultimately almost two-tenths of a second faster than Charles Leclerc in second.

Toto Wolff was quick to praise how the five-time grand prix winner put his dissatisfaction to the back of his mind.

"He doesn't show any weaknesses," the Mercedes team principal said of Antonelli on Sky Sports F1. "He was a little bit on the back foot, no problem.

"As any driver, you don't like to be sent out first. He made that comment in the pit lane, and then he parked it; it's compartmentalised; it doesn't play any role in his ability to drive fast."

When asked about the unusual run plan in the post-qualifying press conference, Antonelli admitted he was left having to overcome his emotions during his out lap.

"Yeah, I'm not a fan of going first for the last run, but I was a little bit stressed on the out lap," Antonelli told media, including RacingNews365.

"But then just tried to focus on what I had to do, and luckily it worked out."