Wolff sends Antonelli ‘pressure’ warning

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted the pressure on Kimi Antonelli's shoulders will only increase as he progresses during his career.

Antonelli is heavily linked with the seat at Mercedes due to be vacated at the end of the year by Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

The Italian, who has been part of Mercedes' junior programme for several years, made the leap to Formula 2 this season after winning the Formula Regional European Championship last term.

Antonelli became an F2 race-winner last weekend at Silverstone, prevailing in the sprint race in wet conditions.

When asked how Antonelli is coping with the pressure of being in the spotlight, Wolff told media, including RacingNews365, that the 17-year-old is unfazed.

“What I like in terms of his attitude, generally his family, who have been always close to him, is the objective assessment of a situation, and that is good or not good enough,” he said.

“And I don't think that the pressure harms him at all the way he performs in the car and how he drives.”

Antonelli 'pretty close' to Bearman pace

Antonelli is racing alongside Oliver Bearman at Prema this year, with the Briton already confirmed on the 2025 F1 grid with Haas.

Wolff suggested Antonelli's talent is further evident by his pace compared to Bearman this season.

“You can clearly see it's a good benchmarking with Ollie Bearman,” Wolff said. “They are pretty close.

“Ollie had an obviously very good race in Austria and Kimi on the Sunday, had a clutch release issue in the second race. So you've got to swim. That's clear.

“It was a rapid career progression. He's 17, he hasn't even got a driving license for a road car.

“And the best ones will be able to cope with that, with the amount of scrutiny and the pressure, and it's going to get bigger.“