Why Wolff abandoned Verstappen pursuit for 'uncontaminated' Antonelli

Toto Wolff has explained his thinking behind the decision to promote Kimi Antonelli straight into an F1 race seat at Mercedes. 

The 18-year-old Italian will replace Lewis Hamilton next season as team-mate to George Russell after Hamilton opted to exercise a break clause in his contract to join Ferrari.

Given Wolff's long-time admiration for Verstappen and the political rumblings at Red Bull, it was hoped he could lure the Dutchman to Brackley for 2025. Verstappen, however, will be staying at Milton Keynes - for next season at least.

Antonelli was announced at the Italian GP as a 2025 Mercedes driver. The teenager is not following the Russell route of an apprenticeship at another team first before racing for the Silver Arrows, as the Briton did with Williams.

Wolff has explained his thinking about wanting to keep Antonelli "fresh".

"Now is the time to make a change in terms of generation after the departure of Lewis, because nothing will be as it was before," Wolff told Autosprint. 

"We will be dealing with a young team next year. Going into the season with George and Antonelli means we are opening a new era. The previous era was great and now is the time to turn a page and make a new start. 

"The reason Antonelli is driving immediately for Mercedes, and will not first make his debut at Williams is because you want him fresh, not contaminated - if you can put it that way - by external experiences."

He added: "If he went to another team first, he would learn different things, behaviours, have different notions about technical things than us.

"We want to avoid that. I think it only brings advantages to have a young driver with you right away."

Antonelli will not drive for Williams

Wolff added that he was "of course" interested in signing Verstappen - having previously missed out on him to Red Bull in 2014, but conceded the timing just wasn't right.

"Of course, we were interested in Verstappen, but it was immediately clear that in all likelihood he would not move to Mercedes," he said.

"Kimi is therefore the best choice for Mercedes.

"We want to start a new chapter with Mercedes. It is an exciting time, and we think we have found the right combination looking forward.

"With Lewis, an icon is leaving. As for next year's Ferrari story, there will be huge noise there, it is a decision with extraordinary consequences."