Toto Wolff Confesses Kimi Antonelli Was “Thrown to the Cannibals” in 2025 Season

Toto Wolff claimed that Kimi Antonelli was thrown to the cannibals in Formula 1 and suffered from a lot of pressure on track.

Toto Wolff Confesses Kimi Antonelli Was “Thrown to the Cannibals” in 2025 Season

Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli (via Getty)

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Kimi Antonelli was one of the few rookies who impressed the paddock in his debut season. The Italian was believed to face a stiff challenge to succeed in his first year, especially in the ground-effect era.

However, Antonelli was able to achieve a couple of podium finishes and finished the 2025 season in P7, just six points behind the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Now, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff accepts that the debutant was thrown to the cannibals and faced a stern challenge from the rivals.

Though Kimi Antonelli‘s on-track performance was good enough, he suffered from glimpses of driver error. Since the 19-year-old was in his debut season, it was quite understandable for a rookie to make such mistakes. Even Toto Wolff wasn’t too concerned with Antonelli’s occasional hitches in terms of performance in the 2025 season.

Toto Wolff recalled his comments at the beginning of the season about how Kimi Antonelli was bound to suffer from ups and downs in his debut season. Wolff was aware that the Italian would face moments of brilliance.

Meanwhile, he would suffer from moments when he wanted to pluck his hair out as well. Regardless, it was all a part of Formula 1, and such moments were nothing short of a learning experience for the drivers.

Last year when we announced that he would drive the car, I said that we’re going to have ups and downs, moments of brilliance and then other moments where you want to tear your hair out. Because of the, you call them learnings, but because of the mistakes, that’s what it is.

Toto Wolff said via Mercedes debrief video.

Toto Wolff hilariously highlighted that Kimi Antonelli was thrown to the cannibals in Formula 1, and there was intense pressure on a driver. Antonelli went through a lot of grilling in the media, coupled with his responsibility towards Mercedes as well. Since Brackley was providing a lot with their engines and cars, it was understandable for them to have expectations from the rookie.

It’s just you’re being thrown to the cannibals in Formula 1. The intense pressure of the media, the responsibility you have to Mercedes – to the many people that are giving their all to provide you an engine and a car.

Toto Wolff added.

Toto Wolff claims Kimi Antonelli now knows ‘what to expect’

Kimi Antonelli definitely suffered the intense lows and highs of Formula 1 throughout the 2025 season. The Italian was subjected to a lot of online hate following a difficult time on track at the Qatar GP.

Moreover, Antonelli’s collision with Max Verstappen at the Austrian GP caused some hate towards him as well. Regardless, the rookie steered through all the troubles with ease and kept a level head on track.

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

Now, Toto Wolff believes that after a full year of Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli is now better at what to expect in the coming years. Wolff recalled that Antonelli went through a learning curve mid-way through the year, especially during the European races. Despite the negatives, the 19-year-old now has a good base to work upon in the upcoming seasons and keep up with the positive momentum.

I think probably that was the learning, throughout the middle of the season, particularly in Europe, with everybody wanting something from you. And he’s a good person. So he didn’t want to say no either. And overall, I would say a good season, full of learning, a strong base to move from here and start in 2026 with a new car, new to everyone. And you know what to expect.

Toto Wolff noted.

The 2026 season will be a big unknown for all the teams and drivers as none of them are believed to be the clear favorite. Though Mercedes was rumored to be at the top of the power unit development, nothing is certain as of yet. For now, Kimi Antonelli will enjoy the summer break and aim to return to the paddock with an even better performance than his rookie season.

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