Toto Wolff Breaks Silence on Kimi Antonelli’s Rumored Mercedes Exit Plans

Toto Wolff provided clarity on the recent rumors of Kimi Antonelli being snubbed from Mercedes and moving on to Alpine or Williams for 2026.

Toto Wolff Breaks Silence on Kimi Antonelli’s Rumored Mercedes Exit Plans

Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli (via Red Bull), Toto Wolff (via Getty)

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Mercedes has suffered from a rollercoaster of a season in 2025. After losing Lewis Hamilton, the team seemed to lose out on a lot of expertise from the former. Especially after raking in rookie Kimi Antonelli, Brackley was bound to suffer from some difficult circumstances. However, amid Antonelli’s uncertain debut with the team, Toto Wolff has broken the silence on the Italian’s continuation with the team.

Toto Wolff had set out on acquiring the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, from Red Bull. However, Verstappen issued his full loyalty towards Red Bull and put an end to the rumors. Wolff and the Dutchman even met in Sardinia, despite declining the meetup initially. On the other hand, Kimi Antonelli raced through the junior ranks under Mercedes’ name and was their product. As such, the team had a lot of hopes banked on the Italian rookie.

Although Kimi Antonelli is performing decently, he hasn’t surpassed expectations quite as much as Toto Wolff imagined. Despite finding stability in their current driver lineup, Mercedes has yet to extend George Russell and Antonelli’s contract beyond 2026. Because of the delay in extension, rumors flourished of the Italian reportedly being snubbed from the team in the coming season.

Toto Wolff has paid no heed to these rumors and ended them completely. Speaking in a recent interview, Wolff declared that the rumors of Kimi Antonelli being demoted to Williams or joining Alpine were completely nonsense. The Austrian insisted that Antonelli was going to ‘100%’ stay with Mercedes in 2026 and potentially even in the subsequent seasons after that.

The Alpine and Williams speculations are completely nonsense, He will stay here in 2026 100%.

Toto Wolff told Sky Italia.

Toto Wolff reveals how to make Kimi Antonelli “better” in 2026

Kimi Antonelli is still just a rookie and will need more track time in order to fight with the leading pack. Antonelli has showcased great promise in his debut season and will only improve from this point on. However, the Italian will still need a lot of practice, especially against George Russell, to keep up with positive results. As such, Toto Wolff revealed how to make the 19-year-old even better on track.

Toto Wolff, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli (via Formula1.com)
Toto Wolff, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli (via Formula1.com)

Toto Wolff reckoned that Mercedes and Co. needed to ‘free up’ Kimi Antonelli and not put much pressure on his shoulders. Wolff applauded the 19-year-old and his ability as a ‘great driver’. The Austrian explained that Antonelli possessed an unbelievable ability and natural talent to perform well in Formula 1. The 53-year-old explained that the team needed to take the ‘ballast’ off the young driver’s shoulders and fulfill his requirements to perform well at the pinnacle of motorsport.

I think just freeing him up, freeing him up to drive, He’s a great driver. He has this unbelievable ability and natural talent. He’s a racer. This is all there, but we need to get rid of the ballast.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by Formula1.com.

Mercedes is currently holding the runner-up spot in the constructors’ championship after snatching the position away from Ferrari recently. Antonelli and Co. must keep up with positive results and ensure that no silly error creeps up in their performances. The team will have to maximize results in all the coming race weekends to hold onto their P2 position.

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