Wolff issues 'inevitable' Antonelli warning as high target set

Toto Wolff has stated Kimi Antonelli's rookie F1 season will be characterised by "ups and downs" as he develops across the year.

Nonetheless, he maintains the young Italian has all the "talent" needed to succeed in the so-called pinnacle of motorsport.

The Austrian spoke to the "vindication" he feels over having two drivers racing for the Brackley-based squad that came up through its junior programme.

Also reiterating his belief George Russell is ready to fight for the F1 drivers' championship this season, the Mercedes team principal was sure to caution that title success will be contingent upon one key factor.

Wolff said the 27-year-old is "capable of competing" for the crown, but only if the team delivers a car worthy of his talents.
 
"We have an exciting line-up to help us achieve our objectives," he said. "Both drivers have progressed through our junior programme and that is a vindication of our commitment to both supporting and developing talent. 
 
"George has proven that he is one of the very best drivers on the grid, capable of competing for the drivers' championship if we can give him a car capable of doing so. As the senior driver, he will help lead the team forward and support Kimi in his development. 
 
"Kimi has all the necessary talent to achieve great things at the pinnacle of the sport, but this is a rookie season and there will inevitably be ups and downs. We're looking forward to that journey together though and helping him develop over the course of the year."

Exciting new era

Wolff underlined how important its changed driver line up will be over the campaign ahead, calling it an "exciting new era" for the team to embark on.

"We open an exciting new era in the story of our team and Mercedes-AMG motorsport in 2025," said the 53-year-old. "We are building on the incredible legacy of our heritage, and we can't wait to go racing."

Touching upon the progress made last term, Wolff highlighted the need to be in frame for victory on a more consistent basis this year.

"Everyone at the team, in Brackley and Brixworth, has been hard at work over the winter," he added. "Last season was incredibly competitive on the track and, whilst we took several wins, we are all focused on challenging for victories more consistently.

"We have made gains in the off-season, but we will only know where we stand come the first race in Australia."