P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Andrea Kimi Antonelli should be able to “kill it” at circuits he has not been used to in his rookie Formula 1 campaign after taking a career-best second at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes that Andrea Kimi Antonelli showed impressive performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, indicating he should excel at unfamiliar circuits in his rookie Formula 1 season.
The Italian rookie achieved his career-best by finishing second both in qualifying and in the race at the Grand Prix, outperforming his teammate George Russell over the entire weekend on an unfamiliar track.
Despite facing criticism for a tussle with Oscar Piastri, earning the latter a penalty, Antonelli’s flawless execution and ability to defend against Max Verstappen showcased his potential.
Wolff recognized the pressure on Antonelli driving for a top team in his debut season, emphasizing 2025 as a learning year with higher expectations for 2026 based on the gained experience.
Antonelli’s adaptation to various tracks throughout the season has been a key focus of his development, with Wolff anticipating further improvements and success in the upcoming F1 season.
