Wolff backs Antonelli to learn from ‘valuable’ F1 lesson

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has backed Kimi Antonelli to take heed of a “valuable lesson” following his crash at Monza.

Antonelli’s FP1 debut at his home event in Italy lasted just 10 minutes after he spun at the final corner and impacted the barrier at high speed.

Mercedes confirmed the following day that Antonelli would step up to the team in place of Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton next year.

Wolff detailed Antonelli’s ability to get up to speed rapidly mirrors traits shown by great F1 drivers of the past.

“I think one of the key ingredients of the really best ones is to hit the ground up and running and be straight [away] fast,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365. 

“And you remember we talked about the F3 test in Silverstone in the rain, which I mean, two drivers were on the first flying lap, and he was four seconds quicker than the rest.”

However, Wolff conceded that Antonelli’s eagerness to impress early on hurt him at Monza.

“Now that bit him [in FP1]. And that’s going to be a valuable lesson. Because it’s not about having fun in an F3 car in Silverstone in the rain. It’s Formula 1. 

“There’s a lot of responsibility also that comes with it, for the best car brand in the world, for many thousands of people. And that’s why Kimi landed a very, very hard way. 

“I think that moment must have been very tough. It compromised George for his day and his week. 

“Kimi knows that. Sometimes it needs to sting, and then it sticks.”