Toto Wolff shuts down Kimi Antonelli criticism after critical F1 breakthrough

Toto Wolff has shut down criticism of Mercedes' decision to promote Kimi Antonelli straight into F1 after he became the youngest pole-sitter in history.

Eyebrows were raised in late 2024 when then 18-year-old Antonelli was tasked with filling the void created by seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton's exit to Ferrari.

The young Italian endured a rollercoaster debut campaign with the team, particularly his mid-season slump over the European rounds, before finishing strongly with podiums in São Paulo and Las Vegas.

With a car to consistently fight with at the front in F1's new regulatory era, Antonelli followed up his second place in the season-opening race in Australia with his first pole position ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest to claim the honour in F1 history, aged 19 years, six months and 18 days.

"Many said the kid was too young, that he was too young to be in a Mercedes, that we should have prepared him otherwise," Wolff told Sky Sports F1. 

"And the kid did well today, the youngest pole-sitter in history."

Antonelli beat team-mate George Russell by two-tenths of a second, although the Briton only managed one flying lap at the death in his W17 due to apparent electrical issues.

Wolff added: "I'm so happy for Kimi to be on pole, but obviously if the kit lets the driver down, like on George's side, you want to see them head-to-head, and what they can do, so it is a shame George couldn't do the lap. 

"Let's see how they get away from the start, the Ferraris will be pushing like crazy, as they did in Melbourne, so it is certainly going to be entertaining."