Mercedes Boss Wolff Reveals Shocking Error Leading to Kimi Antonelli’s Collapse
In a stunning revelation, Toto Wolff has exposed a critical error that resulted in young driver Kimi Antonelli being completely drained during his first home race in Formula 1 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Mercedes team principal, though absent at Imola, pointed out how the demanding nature of the weekend left the 18-year-old feeling burnt out right from Friday.
Antonelli, amidst a jam-packed schedule and numerous personal commitments like inviting school friends to the circuit, found it challenging to deliver on the track. After a disappointing qualifying session where he secured P13, Antonelli was forced to retire from the race due to reliability issues. Despite showing promise during the Grand Prix before the setback, he admitted to the media that it was his “worst in terms of performance.”
Jacques Villeneuve even criticized Antonelli’s approach, emphasizing that the F1 paddock should be treated as a professional workspace without the distraction of friends and family. Looking ahead to the Monaco Grand Prix, Antonelli reflected on the intense and demanding nature of his home race, acknowledging his failure to conserve energy amidst all the surrounding distractions.
While Antonelli took responsibility for his performance, Toto Wolff refrained from blaming the driver, acknowledging that exposing him to the local crowds during his debut in Monza last year was a mistake. Wolff described the situation in Imola as a “perfect storm” due to it being Antonelli’s home track, where he was surrounded by familiar faces from his school, family, and local community.
As Antonelli looks to bounce back from this setback, all eyes will be on how he navigates future races with the support and guidance of the Mercedes team. The young driver’s journey in Formula 1 is indeed a learning process filled with challenges and lessons that will shape his career in the sport.