Toto Wolff reveals Kimi Antonelli’s ‘coach’ at Mercedes for F1 debut

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff asserted that the Silver Arrows had brought in a special mentor for Kimi Antonelli.

Toto Wolff reveals Kimi Antonelli’s ‘coach’ at Mercedes for F1 debut

Kimi Antonelli and Toto Wolff (via Planetf1)

Mercedes surprised the F1 paddock by signing Kimi Antonelli for 2025. The 18-year-old replaces seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Brackley. Now, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has reckoned that Antonelli will get extra help from a former F1 driver.

Valtteri Bottas returns to the Silver Arrows this year. Albeit as a reserve driver. The Finn raced for Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton between 2017 and 2021, delivering consistent results. Toto Wolff cited that Bottas would act as a coach for Kimi Antonelli.

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Wolff emphasized that the return of the Finnish driver was to help Antonelli during his debut season. The 18-year-old will also learn from teammate George Russell. The Austrian billionaire asserted that Mercedes will remain realistic over Antonelli’s results this year. Bottas brings immense experience which could be crucial for the Italian driver.

Valtteri Bottas has also returned to take a look at Kimi. He will be here to coach him and to follow what is happening on the track. He and everyone on the team is aware that they don’t have to wait for anything before 2026, on that side of the box.

Toto Wolff told La Repubblica

Kimi Antonelli winning in F1 would be a ‘great story’

Kimi Antonelli is the first Italian to join the F1 grid since Antonio Giovanazzi‘s failed stint that ended in 2021. Toto Wolff confessed that he wants to see the 18-year-old win as it would be a story to tell. Perhaps taking a dig at Ferrari for not having Antonelli in its lineup. The last Italian to win a race in F1 was Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2006 Malaysian GP.

Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli (via IMAGO)

I would like to see an Italian driver who returns to win… It hasn’t happened for a long time, it would be a good story to tell.

Toto Wolff noted

The Mercedes prodigy has shown promise in his junior career. As such, the entire paddock will be keenly looking at his campaign. However, Antonelli will need to learn to withstand the pressure and ensure he matches the team’s target without taking many risks. It remains to be seen how things pan out for the Italian as the season kicks off next month.