Wolff refutes bold Antonelli F1 debut suggestion

Toto Wolff insists that despite sky-high expectations of rookie Kimi Antonelli it is crucial the young Italian driver has time to "develop" in F1.

The Mercedes team principal suggested that many will expect the 18-year-old to take pole and victory on debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Therefore, the Austrian is eager to temper unrealistic anticipation for the highly-touted Antonelli's first full weekend in F1.

Whilst Mercedes won multiple grand prix last season, for the first time in the contemporary ground-effect era, it is not necessarily expected to be in contention for victory in Melbourne, such is the delicate balance currently between F1's top four teams.

To Wolff, it will be a case of getting Antonelli into the rhythm of a grand prix weekend, with an emphasis on process, not results.

"Most important is to manage expectations," the 53-year-old told media including RacingNews365.

"Everybody's going to think he's going to be on pole in Melbourne and win the race, and as much as we would dream [for that to happen], most important is to let him develop."

Antonelli 'knows' he needs to calm down after Monza accident

Antonelli introduced himself to F1 in explosive fashion on his free practice debut at the Italian Grand Prix last season.

Although he was immediately on the pace at Monza, he pushed new team-mate George Russell's W15 just a little too far, losing the rear end on entry into the final corner and finding the barriers just 10 minutes into the session.

"He knows it himself," Wolff explained when asked if he had needed to curb Antonelli's enthusiasm following that incident.

"He was on a great lap, that would have astonished many people that weren't so close to Formula 1.

"But it was only great until the Parabolica - and he's learning. The impressive thing with Kimi is that he's able to learn and continuously develop."