Toto Wolff has a 'code name' for every version of Kimi Antonelli

F1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed the subtle cue used by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to address the Brackley squad’s young protégé.

It’s a light-hearted code that reflects not only the tight-knit bond Antonelli has built with Wolff but also the nurturing environment Mercedes has created for their burgeoning young talent.

“When I’m doing well, Kimi; when I’m not doing well, Andrea; when I’m doing terribly, he calls me Antonelli,” the 18-year-old told Italy’s Corriere della Sera.

Since Wolff brought him into the Mercedes Junior Academy in 2018, Antonelli has grown under the team’s wing, maturing from a precocious karting prodigy into a full-fledged F1 driver.

The young man from Bologna secured his first podium finish at last month’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, placing third behind teammate George Russell and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

As the youngest driver on the grid, balancing the intense spotlight with a grounded sense of self is something Antonelli is learning to master.

A Rising Star, but Still a Teenager

Despite his surging fame, Antonelli insists he's still a "normal guy" at heart.

“I had a great group of friends at school, and when I go back to Bologna, I try to spend as much time as possible with them,” he says.

“They’re also Formula 1 fans; they always follow me. For now, I’m managing to stay in touch; human relationships are important. In my sport, I’m a bit lonely.”

That loneliness is one of the lesser-seen sides of a career in motorsport – especially for a teenager just stepping out of the classroom and into one of the most demanding professional environments on the planet.

Antonelli graduated in June with a diploma in finance and marketing from Casalecchio di Reno, even as his racing calendar ramped up.

Rossi’s Warning and the Quiet Room

Among those who have helped guide Antonelli’s transition is family friend and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi who offered a key piece of advice to the young: be selective about who you listen to.

“Yes. In F1, it's like swimming in a sea full of sharks; you can fall into the trap and be eaten in an instant,” Antonelli says.

“I realized this at Imola [his first home race]. There, I understood how important it is to make time for myself. Moments where I'm alone, in a quiet place where I can mentally ‘switch,’ where I can isolate myself.”

That sanctuary, he reveals, is found in the Mercedes motorhome on race weekend.

“In the engineers' motorhome, there's a room reserved for the drivers,” he explained. “I go there before getting in the car, visualize and replay the laps in my head; to do that, it has to be quiet.

“I used to not pay attention to these aspects, but now I consider them essential to trying to give 110%.”

It’s this introspective side – uncommon for someone his age – that is drawing praise from many within the paddock. His maturity on and off track is fast becoming a trademark, as is his constant pursuit of growth.

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When asked what he admires most about Rossi, Antonelli pointed to the MotoGP legend’s knack for building a supportive team around himself during his remarkable career.

“He's always been good at surrounding himself with the right people, at recognizing the truly important ones who can help him perform at his best on the track, making him feel at peace. I wish I had that ability,” Antonelli admitted.

For now, with a solid support system within Mercedes, a mentor in Wolff, and podiums already under his belt, Antonelli is on a trajectory that’s hard to ignore. And if he keeps doing well, there’s a good chance the paddock will hear a lot more of “Kimi” – and far less of “Antonelli.”

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