Wolff admits Antonelli ‘scares me’ – and explains why

Formula 1’s championship leader Kimi Antonelli is dominating at just 19, with three consecutive wins from pole position in his second season. But his rapid rise has unsettled even Toto Wolff, who fears the public’s reaction when the Italian prodigy finally hits a rough patch.

Why it matters:

Antonelli’s early success has already made him the focal point of Mercedes’ title charge, but Wolff knows young stars can be devoured by impossible expectations. A single bad weekend could trigger a narrative of collapse, undermining the very growth the team wants to nurture.

The details:

• Antonelli leads George Russell in the standings after four races, having won three straight grands prix.
• Wolff told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Kimi is doing an exceptional job… but we need to maintain a sense of proportion. F1 is based on consistency, not just individual moments of success.”
• The Italian media frenzy is already intensifying with every victory, and Wolff admits: “That’s exactly what scares me. After a great start, he could have some bad moments, and I don’t want the public to start saying, ‘Oh, what’s happening? We were wrong about him?’”
• He stressed the need to treat Antonelli as a “rough diamond” and called on media, fans, and the team to manage expectations.

What’s next:

Next stop is Montreal, where Antonelli scored his maiden podium last season – but now he arrives as the championship leader and hottest property in F1. Wolff hopes the world remembers the teenager is still only getting started, even as the pressure mounts.