Mercedes regrets giving Kimi Antonelli debut F1 outing at Italian GP

In hindsight, Toto Wolff wished for Mercedes to give Kimi Antonelli his F1 debut at any track other than Monza.


Mercedes regrets giving Kimi Antonelli debut F1 outing at Italian GP

Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli ( images via IMAGO)

Mercedes reserve driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli had the exciting opportunity to debut in Formula 1 during the free practice sessions at the Italian GP, stepping into George Russell‘s W15. However, the 18-year-old’s first outing was short-lived, lasting only about 10 minutes.

While navigating the iconic Parabolica corner, he lost control of the car and crashed. This marked a challenging start to his F1 journey. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff reflected on Andrea Kimi Antonelli‘s F1 debut at Monza, where the young driver faced immense pressure.

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Being Italian, Antonelli likely felt the weight of expectation from his home crowd. Wolff acknowledged that they misjudged the intensity of the pressure the 18-year-old would experience. Although they don’t view it as a mistake, the 52-year-old suggested that it might have been wiser to allow Antonelli to drive on a different track before his debut.

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I wouldn’t say it was a mistake, but I think we weren’t completely right in assessing the pressures that he could find himself under. Why that is, is that we talked about it, and how to approach the session. He has been brilliant in testing. He has never put a single foot wrong in the many thousands of kilometres that he’s done.

Toto Wolff told AutoSport.com

Racing in front of his fellow Italians added pressure that affected the young driver’s performance. However, during the same weekend, it was announced that Antonelli would step into Lewis Hamilton‘s seat for the 2025 season alongside George Russell.

Toto Wolff claims Kimi Antonelli was ashamed of the crash at the FP1 of the Italian GP

Toto Wolff shared that the Kimi Antonelli felt ashamed after the crash. The incident damaged George Russell’s car and although the engineering team would repair it, Antonelli worried he had caused problems for Russell.

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

Wolff praised the Italian’s exceptional performance and speed on the track, emphasizing his talent, though he couldn’t handle the pressure. The incident could’ve affected the young driver emotionally as it happened at a crucial moment when everyone was eager to know how he would perform.

I thought it’s not good for him, because I thought it’s a shame for him.

Toto Wolff expressed

The 2024 Formula 1 season has just six races left, with the next event set to take place in Austin later this month. Drivers and teams are enjoying an unofficial one-month break before racing resumes. For Antonelli, the end of the 2024 season will bring him closer to starting his new journey as a Mercedes driver.