F1 rookie Kimi Antonelli simply managed to complete contained in the factors on the 2025 Italian GP after beginning the race in P6. Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff got here out and criticised the Italian driver’s efficiency at Monza, however remained supportive of Antonelli, suggesting the rookie will enhance and get higher with expertise.
Kimi Antonelli crashed with Charles Leclerc on the Dutch GP, which ended the Ferrari driver’s race. The Mercedes driver was in a position to proceed and completed contained in the Prime 10 earlier than the race stewards gave him a penalty for inflicting a collision and rushing into the pit lane, which dropped him outdoors the factors.
Nevertheless, Toto Wolff got here out and defended the Italian driver after the race at Zandvoort. Antonelli had a robust begin to the Italian GP weekend, ending FP1 in P5. Sadly, the Mercedes driver misplaced management of the automotive, ended up within the gravel throughout FP2, which ended his session early. The Italian made the same mistake on the Dutch GP in FP1 and misplaced essential monitor time.
Kimi Antonelli lined up P6, however dropped a number of positions after a sluggish begin, and recovered into the Prime 10. In direction of the top of the race, Kimi Antonelli compelled Alex Albon huge and was given a time penalty for a similar. He crossed the road in P8, however was dropped to P9 after the time penalty was utilized.
Toto Wolff got here out with the primary public criticism of Kimi Antonelli, however remained supportive of the rookie, as he mentioned,
“Underwhelming this weekend. Underwhelming. You may’t put the automotive within the gravel mattress and anticipate to be there.”
“All the race was underwhelming. It would not change something in my help and confidence in his future as a result of I consider he’ll be very, very, excellent. However right now was… underwhelming,” added Toto Wolff
“My 100% perception is in him”: Toto Wolff continues to place confidence in Kimi Antonelli regardless of the ‘errors’
Kimi Antonelli has had a tough rookie season by way of the errors made by the Italian. The Mercedes driver crashed into Max Verstappen on the opening lap on the Austrian GP and took out Charles Leclerc on the Dutch GP. Toto Wolff got here out after the Dutch GP, mirrored on Antonelli’s errors, and claimed it is part of the educational curve.
“We wish to have a driver that has pace, that’s quick, that learns, that scores the factors, however all the massive ones [drivers] make errors. It’s tough to match now as a result of Max was given a unique surroundings in Toro Rosso in the beginning, however there have been additionally some moments the place you mentioned, ‘That was a giant mistake’,” mentioned Toto Wolff (by way of F1)
“Kimi, 18 years previous, thrown on this mammoth of a crew, representing Mercedes, he’s going to make errors. Hopefully much less errors subsequent yr and scoring larger factors. However my 100% perception is in him in the long run, and that’s simply a part of the educational,” he added
Whereas Kimi Antonelli has showcased moments of brilliance, together with his first podium on the Canadian GP, there’s nonetheless loads to be taught for the Mercedes driver.
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Edited by Pranay Bhagi
