Toto Wolff emphasized that Mercedes will avoid repeating the mistake of overwhelming Andrea Kimi Antonelli with off-track distractions at Imola, learning from the previous race’s setbacks.
Antonelli, facing challenges at his home Grand Prix, admitted to struggling with managing his energy amidst the attention from family, friends, and fans, impacting his performance on track.
Wolff, acknowledging the situation, emphasized the learning process for Antonelli and the need for balance in navigating off-track engagements and on-track focus.
Reflecting on Antonelli’s performance, which included a retirement due to a throttle issue, Wolff acknowledged the need for the young driver to prioritize his energy and protect himself from distractions during race weekends.
Despite the challenges at Imola, Antonelli has shown promise at Mercedes, earning points and securing the youngest polesitter title in an F1 race format.
Wolff is focused on guiding Antonelli through his first experience at the tight and demanding Monaco circuit, highlighting the importance of building experience and gradually pushing his limits in a new setting.
