Wolff makes Antonelli 'visible mistakes' claim

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has highlighted Kimi Antonelli's mistakes during his rookie F1 season will be “more visible” due to the squad's position in the pecking order.

The Brackley-based squad confirmed last week that Antonelli will race for the team next year alongside George Russell.

The line-up marks a significant moment for Mercedes as it fields two graduates from its junior programme for the first time in F1.

Russell's call-up to the team came in 2022 after he spent three seasons at Williams, which Wolff has conceded was too long to wait.

“Maybe we’ve learned a lesson as George was maybe too long at Williams,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

“He made some of the mistakes at Williams, where he was also visible. Now we fast-tracked Kimi and the mistakes are going to be more visible because it’s in a Mercedes. But we’re absolutely ready for that investment. 

"Having these two guys, former Mercedes juniors now in Formula 1 is really great to see, and it’s a testament to the work of the junior team looking at the minis today - the under-10s that are racing in karting.”

Wolff hails Mercedes member for scouting Antonelli

Antonelli made his FP1 debut last Friday at Monza, one day before his promotion to the team for 2025 was made official.

The Italian's session lasted only 10 minutes as a crash at the final corner saw him hit the barriers at speed, however, the 18-year-old remains one of the highest-rated prospects for some time.

“I think most of the credit needs to go to Gwen [Lagrue] and his team, who manages our Academy because they are able to scout from a very early age onwards,” Wolff added.

“We, as Mercedes, wouldn’t have found Kimi. He was 11 years old, and we saw the results on the track and obviously working with the karting teams, but it’s amazing to see.

“With George, he actually found us, put his best suit on, and went to see me in my office with a PowerPoint presentation!

“It’s good that we are now here, in 2024, with two very serious juniors that we were able to support from the very early stages of their career.

“George has ticked all the boxes, won all the championships that were necessary, and, in the same way, Kimi.”