P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Kimi Antonelli has endured a rough period of form in recent times, but is still being backed by Mercedes.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his support for rookie driver Kimi Antonelli amid a tough period of results at the team. Antonelli, often likened to Max Verstappen, has struggled with confidence in the car, scoring points only twice in the past nine races, including a podium in Canada. Despite the challenges, Wolff emphasized Mercedes’ confidence in Antonelli, noting the learning curve and inevitable mistakes that come with young drivers. Antonelli, brought in to replace Lewis Hamilton this season, faces high expectations in a competitive environment, with Wolff acknowledging the pressure on the 18-year-old. Looking ahead, Wolff remains optimistic about Antonelli’s potential for success in the long term, as part of the learning process in Formula 1.
