Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed sharp disappointment in Kimi Antonelli’s recent performance at the Monza Grand Prix, intensifying questions about the young driver’s standing within the team. The frustration emerged after Antonelli, who recently turned 19, struggled to maintain form in back-to-back races following the summer break, underscoring concerns about his future prospects at Mercedes.
Antonelli’s Recent Performance Under Scrutiny
Antonelli showed some promise by achieving his best qualifying result since June, starting sixth on the grid in Monza. However, his race day proved problematic as he slipped to ninth by the finish, failing to capitalize on his earlier position. This followed a disappointing 16th-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, deepening the slump that has plagued him since the mid-season hiatus.
Wolff’s frustration appeared to stem not only from race results but also from Antonelli’s mistake during the second practice session, where he spun into the gravel. This incident cost the driver vital track time and seemed to hamper his race preparedness, prompting Wolff to voice his critical views publicly for the first time.
Wolff’s Rare Public Disapproval of a Young Talent
Until now, Wolff had maintained strong backing for Antonelli, who was fast-tracked into the Mercedes team to replace Lewis Hamilton alongside George Russell. Yet after Monza, Wolff openly described Antonelli’s weekend as “underwhelming.”
“It doesn’t change anything on my support and confidence in his future because I believe he’s going to be very, very, very good. But today was… underwhelming.”
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
His comments marked a clear shift in tone, highlighting the severity with which the team views Antonelli’s current struggles despite past faith in his potential.
Insight From Former Champion Nico Rosberg
Wolff’s unexpected criticism caught the attention of Nico Rosberg, 2016 Formula 1 world champion and Sky Sports F1 analyst, who found the reversal surprising given previous public support. Rosberg emphasized the importance of protecting young drivers from premature public criticism and interpreted Wolff’s remarks as a strategic move.
“But the fact of the matter is, Kimi is a generational talent, we all know that, but it’s more difficult for him than we all thought so far. And it’s a bit strange that it’s still so difficult.”
—Nico Rosberg, F1 World Champion and Analyst
Rosberg suggested that Wolff’s carefully calculated comments might be intended to motivate Antonelli and his entourage to reconsider their approach to his development and performance management.
Comparison With Team-Mate George Russell’s Success
The gap in results between Antonelli and his team-mate George Russell has become a focal point for concern. Russell, who currently sits fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, leads Antonelli by a staggering 128 points, while Antonelli has even fallen behind Williams driver Alex Albon in the standings.
Rosberg underscored the statistical evidence of Antonelli’s struggles, pointing out that Russell has outqualified and outperformed him consistently throughout the season, further intensifying the pressure on the young Italian.
“It’s a really hard one, an unfortunate one, because we all want him to go well, he can go well, we know that. But the clock starts to tick at some point also, it’s a tough one.”
—Nico Rosberg, F1 World Champion and Analyst
Uncertainty Surrounding 2026 Contract and Team Strategy
As the 2025 season approaches its final months, Mercedes has yet to finalize contracts with either of their drivers for 2026, an unusual position for the team. Earlier in the summer, Wolff’s attempts to sign Max Verstappen from Red Bull complicated negotiations with both Antonelli and Russell.
Although Verstappen committed to staying at Red Bull for the coming season, Wolff has reiterated his intention to maintain the current driver lineup for 2026. Nonetheless, without official agreements, speculation about Antonelli’s seat remains strong, especially given his recent performance woes.
“I said that a couple of weeks or months ago even, give him the contract, because you need to give him whatever you can at the moment, just to help him with his confidence,”
“Anyway, in F1, you know that worst, worst case, you can still get out of that then during the winter. Obviously you don’t have to say that now, but I would also consider that.”
—Nico Rosberg, F1 World Champion and Analyst
These comments highlight the delicate balance Mercedes must strike between supporting Antonelli’s development and keeping options open amid high-stakes competition.
Antonelli’s Season: Early Promise, Recent Decline
Antonelli began the 2025 season with notable performances, securing five top-six finishes in his first six races and claiming a Sprint race pole position in Miami. He also earned his maiden podium in Canada, signaling his potential as a leading driver for Mercedes.
However, since that peak, Antonelli has managed only three points-scoring finishes in his last ten races, with a best finish no higher than ninth, demonstrating a worrying decline in consistency and competitiveness.
Looking Ahead: Potential Challenges for Antonelli’s Future
Mercedes’ significant investment in Antonelli suggests the team will likely retain him for the foreseeable future, unless his performance worsens further. While most realistic driver replacements are already under contract elsewhere for next season, the ongoing difficulties could influence team strategies beyond 2026.
As Mercedes plans to contend for championships under new regulations by 2027, Wolff’s focus on securing Verstappen remains evident, which could prompt a reevaluation of Antonelli’s role. The pressure to deliver results is mounting, and the coming months may prove pivotal for the young Italian’s career in Formula 1.
Formula 1 will next visit Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from September 19 to 21, where Antonelli will have another opportunity to respond to the mounting challenges with Mercedes and the wider F1 paddock watching closely.
