Toto Wolff Explains How Kimi Antonelli Is Thriving Despite Doubters in Rookie Year as He Addresses George Russell’s Issues

Toto Wolff said Kimi Antonelli’s strong form and pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix reflect the confidence and resilience the young Mercedes driver has built through a difficult rookie Formula 1 season. Wolff explained that Antonelli benefited from entering the sport with little pressure on himself, because at his age he has “nothing to lose” and is racing on instinct rather than overthinking the stakes. That mindset, combined with lessons learned from last year’s struggles, has helped him grow into one of the standout drivers of the 2026 campaign.

Antonelli made his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes in 2025 and experienced a mixed first season. He started well, but then went through a difficult run during the European races, including a stretch of nine consecutive races without scoring points. Despite the setbacks, he finished the year on a stronger note and has carried that momentum into his sophomore season. His progress has been dramatic enough to make him the youngest championship leader in F1 history, holding a 43-point advantage over teammate George Russell.

Wolff said the teenager’s ability to recover from setbacks has been central to his rise. He noted that going through difficult periods, while supported by his team and family, made Antonelli stronger and more prepared for the pressure of top-level competition. The Mercedes boss also pointed out that the team faced criticism during Antonelli’s rough patch in 2025, with some doubting whether Mercedes had been right to promote him so early. Wolff said Mercedes chose to stay committed to the long-term project, expecting a rookie year that would include flashes of brilliance as well as tough moments.

According to Wolff, that patience and support are now paying off. He said Mercedes gave Antonelli enough pressure to develop while still allowing him some freedom, and that balance may explain why he is now producing results like his Monaco pole.

Wolff also discussed Antonelli’s qualifying performance in more detail, saying the driver “built it up” during the session and gained confidence after a solid Q1. By contrast, George Russell had a more frustrating day and finished sixth. Russell later said he was confused by his current struggles, and Wolff suggested the issue was not mainly psychological, but rather a lack of confidence in the car. He said Russell never fully found grip in Monaco, where confidence is especially important because even a small performance deficit can be hard to recover from.

Looking ahead to the race, Wolff said Antonelli may need to defend aggressively at the start, especially against Max Verstappen, who will line up beside him on the front row. He joked that Antonelli should “make himself wide” if he wants to keep the lead into the first corner, warning that a poor start in Monaco could make the race very difficult.