Toto Wolff Addresses Learning Lessons for Mercedes Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes after Andrea Kimi Antonelli struggled in the Formula 1 race at Imola. The Bologna-born rookie qualified 13th and retired due to a throttle issue, leaving him “toast” before the race even began.

A Difficult Week for Antonelli

In the aftermath of the grand prix, Antonelli admitted that he struggled with managing his energy levels, as he was overwhelmed by family, friends, and well-wishers. This distraction definitely compromised his performance on the track. It marks the second time Antonelli has underperformed in front of an expectant home crowd, having crashed out of FP1 in Monza last year during his first ever Formula 1 appearance.

Wolff’s Reflections on Imola

Absent from Imola due to his son’s graduation ceremony in the United States, Wolff felt “detached” from the Mercedes team on the ground. However, he did speak to Antonelli and shared his insights. “I think this is a learning process,” said Wolff when asked about his protege by Motorsport.com. “I think we concluded last year that we made a mistake in maybe exposing him in Monza in his first ever running in FP1 to the local crowds, and he wanted to perform particularly well.

The Perfect Storm at Imola

Wolff further explained that Imola was probably the “perfect storm” for Antonelli due to its being his home track, school, and place of residence. With everyone wanting a piece of Kimi, even as early as Friday, he was already “toast.

Guidance for Antonelli

Speaking to him on Saturday, Antonelli said he was “out of energy” and overwhelmed by the attention. Wolff advised him that at some point, he needs to be “unfriendly.” He should hide himself in his room or the engineering room on Sundays, and prioritize his racing above all else. The team, including family, realized that this level of attention was too much and is a mistake they will not repeat.

Antonelli’s Promising Start with Mercedes

Despite his struggles at Imola, Antonelli has had a promising start to his career with Mercedes, taking 48 points from the opening seven rounds and becoming the youngest polesitter in any format of F1 when he started first in the Miami sprint race.

Preparing for Monaco

Looking ahead to Monaco, Wolff is keen for Antonelli to approach the circuit’s tight and twisty corners with realistic expectations. “Driving the car here fast needs experience,” added Wolff, after Antonelli finished 11th in first practice. He believes that Antonelli started the weekend well and will continue to learn as he gains more laps around the track. Despite this, Wolff is confident that by qualifying tomorrow, Antonelli will be “dialed in” and ready for the challenges ahead.