Mercedes reveal shareholder Antonelli ‘warning’

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed he has issued a “warning” to shareholders regarding the expectations surrounding rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli will make his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix later this year, lining up on the grid at Mercedes.

The 18-year-old has replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, with the seven-time champion switching to rivals Ferrari for a fresh career chapter.

Antonelli has been handed extensive preparation ahead of his debut season as Wolff disclosed he has completed roughly 9,000 kilometres in F1 cars.

Having shot rapidly up the F1 feeder series ladder en route to F1, Wolff has tempered expectations for his first season.

“If you expect him to be on pole position in Melbourne, win the race and immediately compete for the championship, then the risk is high because that won’t happen,” Wolff told Auto Moto und Sport when asked how much of a risk Antonelli’s promotion is. 

“If we take the approach that the boy is 18 years old, very talented, but of course has to grow into it first and will make mistakes, then the risk is limited. 

“That’s why we’re doing it. We see 2025 as a transition year and want to prepare him for 2026.”

When asked how he is lowering expectations, Wolff said: “By warning all our shareholders not to believe that the good test results will simply translate into the race.”

Antonelli has had two FP1 sessions under his belt having taken part in practice in Italy (a session in which he crashed) and Mexico.