P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is continuing his attempts to shield highly-touted Kimi Antonelli from the considerable expectations awaiting him when he embarks on his rookie F1 season.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has cautioned against placing high expectations on rookie Kimi Antonelli for his 2025 F1 debut season, emphasizing the need for the young Italian driver to learn and grow from his mistakes during what Mercedes sees as a transitional year before the 2026 regulation overhaul. Antonelli, who ascended to F1 quicker than anticipated due to Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, will enter his rookie season after skipping FIA F3, having last competed in Formula Regional (FRECA). Despite Antonelli’s early crash during an FP1 session at the Italian Grand Prix, Wolff anticipates further learning experiences for the 18-year-old as he adjusts to the demands of F1 racing. The risk associated with Antonelli’s signing is tied to managing immediate expectations, with Wolff stressing the importance of allowing the talented driver room to develop and make mistakes at his young age. The paradigm shift in F1’s view of young talent was underscored by Oliver Bearman’s impressive stand-in performance for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, opening doors for a wave of new drivers entering the championship in 2025. Amidst evolving dynamics and regulations, Mercedes aims to nurture Antonelli in 2025 for a stronger showing in the reset 2026 season, leveraging the changing landscape in F1 to position themselves strategically for future success.
