Toto Wolff says he has no concerns about Kimi Antonelli “losing the plot” as the Mercedes driver tightens his grip on the Formula 1 world championship with an 81-point lead.
If anything, the Mercedes boss appears more concerned about everyone around his young driver getting carried away than Antonelli himself.
The Italian has shown little inclination to change his approach despite his championship advantage ballooning after back-to-back victories in Monza and Madrid.
Antonelli arrived at those two races having taken just one win from the previous six events and facing a grid penalty in Italy, while Mercedes expected a particularly demanding challenge from its rivals in Spain.
Instead, he swept both weekends and emerged with a commanding cushion at the top of the standings.
Yet Wolff insists the sudden prospect of a first world title has done nothing to alter Antonelli’s mindset.
‘I see no risk that he's losing the plot’
For Wolff, Antonelli’s personality is perhaps the strongest safeguard against the distractions that can accompany a championship campaign.
“Kimi from his personality, is so grounded, 100% racer, not distracted from anything outside. A super family situation, and that's why I see no risk that he's losing the plot because he's so dominant,” Wolff said, quoted by RACER.
Mercedes is nevertheless conscious that managing Antonelli’s development extends well beyond simply giving him a competitive car.
Wolff says the team will continue to consider what could distract him, what environment best suits him and how to ensure his rapid rise does not come at the expense of his focus.
“And this, over the next few years, it's something that we will always have our discussions like we have now. What is it that could distract him? What is it that's good for him? What kind of environment he needs? And that's the discussion we have.”
‘He does not think about it’
For now, however, Wolff insists there is no elaborate championship calculation taking place inside Antonelli’s head.
The Mercedes boss believes the teenager has an unusually sharp ability to separate his life away from the track from the mature racer who climbs into the cockpit.
“I can promise you he does not think about it,” he added.
“The way this kid is able to compartmentalize and be the young kid and then get into the car and be the mature racing driver… That's why if Kimi says to himself, ‘I’m not thinking about the championship’, he's not thinking about the championship.”
That may be precisely what Mercedes needs as the pressure increases. With 81 points separating Antonelli from his nearest rivals, there is an obvious temptation to start protecting the advantage rather than attacking each race on its own terms.
Wolff, though, says the message coming from both Antonelli and his family remains deliberately simple: the championship is nowhere near finished.
“And we always try, his parents and himself, are saying this is not finished. There is black swan in it – they can come and you're losing something out of your hand when you didn't think it was possible to lose. So we’re not going to think about it.”
There is an almost amusing contrast in the way Mercedes and its driver are approaching the situation. The adults in the room are busy contemplating every possible disaster, while Antonelli is being encouraged to remain blissfully focused on the next lap, the next session and the next race.
“We're too grown up and mature for this. We think about worst case scenarios. He doesn't think about anything else,” Wolff insisted.
‘Having good people around helps a lot’
Antonelli’s own comments suggest that this isn't simply a Mercedes strategy imposed on him from above. He says the people closest to him – and particularly his father – have helped ensure that success does not alter his perspective.
“I’m lucky to have really good people around me,” the 20-year-old said. “I have an incredible team that supports me, great family. Especially my dad is the one that keeps me on the ground.
“When he sees that I might lose the way a little bit, he doesn’t (hesitate) to tell me off or to just tell me to go back to ground. So, definitely having good people helps a lot.
“On my side, as I said many times, I just try to do my best every race, trying to really drive as fast as I can whenever I go in the car. And then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the year.
“But definitely I don’t want to overcomplicate things or just drive worrying about championship or result. Just driving, doing my best.”
For Mercedes, that attitude could be just as valuable as the points Antonelli is accumulating.
The championship leader may have opened a formidable gap, but Wolff is adamant that the title is not yet being treated as a certainty – and that Antonelli, at least, has no intention of changing the mindset that has carried him this far.
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