Toto Wolff understands that any mistakes made by Kimi Antonelli will be placed under the microscope, even more so than future team-mate George Russell experienced at Williams. (More Motorsport News)
Antonelli, who currently sits sixth in the Formul🐲a 2 drivers' championship, was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for Mercedes in the 2025♌ season last month.
The news broke merely 24 hours after the Italian made his debut in𝐆 the opening practice session at Monza, imp൲ressing in his first few laps.
However, the 1⛦8-year-old's time behind the wheel quickly came to an end when he spun wildly entering the final corner of the track after just 10 minutes of running.
Before making the step up to Mercedes in 2022, future team-mate Russell spent three years with Williams, who found themselves as consistent back markers during 🎉his time there.
And while Wolff felt Russell's time with Williams should have been shorter, he acknowledged that hiꦕs mistakes went largely unnoticed given the team's position in the constructors' championship, something🔜 that will be different for Antonelli.
“O⛦bviously, maybe we’ve learned the lesson, George was 𒊎maybe too long at Williams,” said Wolff.
“[He] did some of the mistakes at Williams where he was not so visible. Now we’ve faᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚst-tracked Kimi, mistakes are going to be more visible because🗹 it’s in a Mercedes.
“But we’re absolutely ready for that investment, and having these two guys – full Merc𝔉edes juniors now in Formula 1 – is really great to see.
"It’s testament to the work of the junior team, loo๊king at the minis today, the under-10s that are racing in karting.”
It took Russell 81 starts to claim his first triumph in the competitiꩲon, coming in Sao Paulo two years ag💛o.
He has since claimed 13 podiums fo💫r Mercedes, securing a second career victory earlier this season at the Austrian Grand Prix.
And despite a nervy start to his F1 career, Russell is confident that any mistakes Anto📖nelli makes wil🐽l be crucial for his development.
“When I look back to wh꧙en I was 18 years old, there’s obviously so much to learn,🐠” Russell conceded.
“But I think, as a driver, you have the speed or you don’t have the speed, and I’m very confident Kimi has the s💦pee♔d.
“I think everybody on their journey is going to make mistakes, and that’s part of life and part ofꦜ this sport. I’ve no doubt Kimi’s going to learn from [his FP1 at Monza].
“He’s definitely got the speed to help Mercedes get back to the front of the grid for next year onwards, and that’s why he’s going to be in the car alongside me next yeꦕar.”
