Toto Wolff Issues Stark ‘Time Thieves’ Warning to Kimi Antonelli

Toto Wolff has urged Kimi Antonelli to remain vigilant and not be taken advantage of by the 'time thieves' in Formula 1.

Toto Wolff Issues Stark ‘Time Thieves’ Warning to Kimi Antonelli

Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli (via Motorsport)

In Short
  • Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history at the Chinese GP, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record.
  • Toto Wolff warns Antonelli to be cautious of outside influences and "time thieves" in his racing career.
  • David Coulthard describes Antonelli as a "boy-man" after his emotional victory, highlighting his maturity and connection with his father.

Kimi Antonelli emerged as the most impressive driver on the track at the Chinese GP. Notably, Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter, eclipsing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record. Moreover, the Italian led the race at the front and achieved a stellar race win. Now, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff urges the 19-year-old to beware of the outside influences in Formula 1.

Ever since the beginning of his F1 career, Kimi Antonelli has received his fair share of hate. The Italian has suffered from death threats and other problems following his blunder against Max Verstappen in the 2025 season. Despite the hate, Antonelli has risen on top and proven to be a great replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Brackley.

Now, Toto Wolff applauds the young gun’s talent while at the same time asking him to tread lightly. Wolff highlighted that racing and winning were something that came naturally to Kimi Antonelli. Further, the Austrian revealed that the 19-year-old was very affectionate and possessed great talent once he sat inside the challenger.

It is something which comes naturally to him, very similar to the talent in the car, he is someone who has always been able to capture the room and people, and he is quite affectionate.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Apart from this, Toto Wolff highlighted how everyone within the Mercedes crew loved Kimi Antonelli because of his sweet personality. However, Wolff accepted that the crew needed to shield Antonelli from outside influences, as many people will certainly take advantage of the 19-year-old’s innocence. The Austrian reckoned that the youngster needed to learn to say no, and not be affected by many ‘time thieves’ that he will face in his career.

The mechanics love him, the engineering and comms and marketing people, but in a way, we need to shield him from that, because people take advantage. He really struggles to say: ‘No’, and now he needs to learn how to say: ‘No’, because there’ll be so much interest and so many time thieves who will come up and affect his career.

Toto Wolff added.

Ex-F1 driver labels Kimi Antonelli as a ‘boy-man’ after emotional Chinese GP win

Following his stellar victory at the Chinese GP, Kimi Antonelli was understandably holding back tears during the interview. The 19-year-old gave in and had an emotional moment. Now, ex-Red Bull driver David Coulthard warmly labels Antonelli as a ‘boy-man,’ especially since the former has a son similar in age to the Silver Arrow.

Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli (via Getty)
Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli (via F1)

David Coulthard was the one interviewing Kimi Antonelli during his maiden F1 win. Coulthard accepted that he saw the 19-year-old as a ‘boy-man’ as Antonelli was definitely mature as a person. Moreover, the Englishman reckoned that the Italian’s reaction was completely fine and expected. Apart from this, the race-winner caught eyes with his father, which further caused him to tear up.

He’s only a couple of years older than my son, so in my eyes, I’m looking at a boy. Of course, he’s a man, but he’s a boy-man in my eyes, and for him to get away [with not crying] at the beginning of the chat, absolutely fine. And then I think he caught his father’s eye behind the barriers, and I think that’s what triggered the tears.

David Coulthard said on the Up to Speed podcast.

The 2026 season has just begun, and Kimi Antonelli has already finished in P2 and P1 in the races, respectively. The Italian is just in his second year in Formula 1 and certainly has a very bright career ahead of him. It will be interesting to witness how many more records Antonelli continues to break amid Mercedes’ dominance under the new regulations.

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