Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff believes there’s a simple – and fascinating – explanation on why Kimi Antonelli thrives when he’s racing somewhere he’s never been before.
The 19-year-old Italian delivered another breakout result at Interlagos, taking second place at the São Paulo Grand Prix after fending off a late charge from Max Verstappen – a drive Wolff described as “faultless.”
It marked Antonelli’s second podium of 2025 after his third-place finish in Canada back in June, and it came on a weekend where he also finished runner-up in the Sprint. Interestingly, those standout results – as well as his Sprint pole in Miami – have all come at tracks he’d never raced on before joining Formula 1.
Less Familiar, Less Pressure
“All weekend he was strong,” Wolff said after last Sunday’s race at interlagos. “Maybe it was coming to a track that he didn't know – it's a bit easier. Expectations are maybe lower.
“Maybe pressure is not as high as some of the Europeans and then the execution was faultless at the end: being able to fend off Max on a newer and softer tyre, well that was really strong and a testament to what's to come.”
Antonelli’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster affair, with flashes of raw brilliance offset by several crashes and missed opportunities. But Wolff reckons the reason his young star seems more at ease on new circuits is partly psychological.
©Mercedes
With no past results to live up to, Antonelli can focus purely on driving.
“I think it's also managing his own expectations, he's so young, he's just 19 years old,” Wolff explained. “You come to a track where you know you've performed very well in the past, some of the European ones, and then on the back foot.
“You have a sensational team-mate that is as good as it gets, and I think coming to a track that you don't know is almost like less pressure, your expectations are lower, everybody else's expectations are lower, the kind of fan pressure is less than on some of the European tracks, and I think that plays a big role.”
Faith in the Future
Speculation earlier in the year linked Mercedes with a move for Verstappen in 2026, with Antonelli possibly ending up as the odd man out. But the young Italian’s progress and strong form have settled any doubts about his future.
The youngster’s contract renewal was quietly confirmed after the summer break, and Wolff insists it was always part of Mercedes’ long-term vision.
“I was always confident he was going to get the necessary grip, that's why it was always clear that Kimi is going to stay with us next year,” Wolff said. “So there was no doubt that with these complicated cars, the management of the tyres is something that you need to learn.
“In that respect, that's a great result. One of the good days. Like I said, there were many more difficult [occasions], but there was not a single moment of doubt in how he's coming, but I always try to dampen the expectations on him.”
And with Italian media already hailing Antonelli as a national hero, Wolff is determined to keep his young charge grounded.
“The Italians talked about the legend Kimi Antonelli after Montreal, after Miami, and that's an additional pressure. So let's keep both feet on the ground. He was second, he fended off Max today, that was very impressive, but we want to win races and fight for championships.”
From Miami to Montreal and now São Paulo, Antonelli’s rookie campaign has been anything but predictable. Yet for Mercedes, his learning curve – and composure under pressure – may be the surest sign yet that Formula 1’s next big star is quietly finding his groove, one unfamiliar circuit at a time.
Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix
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