P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli had moments of stardom and pain throughout his rookie season in F1.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed concerns about the excessive pressure placed on Kimi Antonelli by the Italian public following his strong early performances in the season. Despite Antonelli’s initial success, including a sprint pole position in Miami and a podium finish in Canada, he struggled during the European leg of the season. However, Wolff maintained his confidence in the 18-year-old’s abilities and confirmed his retention for the 2026 season alongside George Russell. Antonelli is viewed as a long-term project for the Mercedes team, with Wolff acknowledging the need to manage expectations and focus on continuous improvement. Despite some challenges, Wolff praised Antonelli’s development and highlighted the importance of learning to handle the complexities of modern Formula 1 cars.
