Mercedes supervisor Toto Wolff has rubbished discuss that Andrea Kimi Antonelli might problem for the 2026 F1 world title after his victory on the Chinese language Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian turned the youngest driver to take pole place for a Grand Prix in China, taking his first win in Sunday’s 56-lap race.
Antonelli beat Mercedes teammate George Russell to win, giving the Silver Arrows their second straight one-two in the beginning of the 2026 season.
“It has been some time since I have been in F1, however this podium was in all probability among the best moments I’ve had in F1,” Mercedes group boss Wolff informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“The three of us, with Bono (Peter Bonnington) within the center, have been with Lewis ceaselessly and have principally taken over Kimi and made Kimi what he’s. To be trustworthy, it isn’t usually that I am blown away, however that is precisely the second.”
“I stated final 12 months could be a troublesome 12 months with many ups and downs and lots of failures, so I believe (the primary win) will in all probability come prior to I anticipated.
“So, second race (of the season), he managed from the entrance and was operating very well immediately. So possibly he is a little bit bit higher than the trajectory I assumed he was.”
The second Antonelli scored his first F1 victory
The victory leaves Antonelli simply 4 factors behind Russell on this planet championship and fuels discuss that he may very well be in rivalry for his first drivers’ title this 12 months.
Nevertheless, Antonelli’s father, Marco Antonelli, was fast to downplay such ideas when requested about his son’s championship possibilities.
“I truthfully do not know as a result of Kimi remains to be younger and I do not suppose he is excellent in the mean time,” he informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“Clearly he is a superb driver, however expertise is essential and I believe George is a really tremendous driver with loads of expertise. It is troublesome to beat him.”
“The championship is lengthy and Kimi did a superb job on this race, however George obtained blocked behind the Ferrari (in the course of the race).
And Wolff echoed Antonelli’s father’s feedback, insisting that such discuss just isn’t useful to drivers.
“You must hold your ft on the bottom. He is had an incredible race. George obtained blocked early so it wasn’t a head-to-head,” Wolff identified.
“He’ll make errors, he will have nice days like immediately, and all of that may hopefully result in him changing into world champion sooner or later.
“However we should not get carried away with the world championship (discuss). It isn’t good for him and it isn’t good for anybody’s expectations.”
