Everyone doubted Antonelli, but Toto Wolff was right

Several team members in the paddock were dreading the days leading up to the Monaco Grand Prix. When GPblog spoke with them, there were frequent sighs about an endlessly long Sunday ahead; the familiar procession through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo.

In the end, the usually dreadfully dull race in 2026 turned out to be a gem, with constant plot twists, crashes, asphalt breaking up, a red flag, and a truckload of time penalties. Not a single spectator trackside or at home in front of the TV could have been bored for a moment during this Grand Prix.

And ultimately, it was that little guy from Bologna once again who remained completely cool and, before the safety car and then the red flag, had built a gigantic lead over everyone and everything. A day after a fabulous performance in qualifying, it was a pure masterclass from Andrea Kimi Antonelli on how to thread a Formula 1 car through Monaco.

One by one, problems cropped up for the competition, many of whom received a time penalty or a drive-through. George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, was even hit three times. But Antonelli remained penalty-free. He made no mistakes, didn’t speed in the pit lane, didn’t cut chicanes, and stayed well away from the barriers. Of course, unlike Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri, the Italian didn’t face technical woes. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, too.

With the European season now one Grand Prix old, a lot would have to happen for Antonelli not to become the youngest world champion ever. After six race weekends, the Italian already has a 66-point lead over second-placed Lewis Hamilton—indeed, not teammate Russell. The latter admitted in Monaco that the current generation of F1 cars doesn’t suit his driving style, so that’s already an advantage for Antonelli.

Additionally, McLaren has its share of technical concerns, both with the Mercedes power unit and certainly also (for example) with their own gearbox. Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing are inconsistent due to circumstances, and Ferrari is Ferrari. In short, especially after Monaco, all signals are green for Antonelli’s first title.

Mind you, Mercedes is doing everything it can to temper expectations. But Antonelli is truly very good, and he shows it weekly. It does raise a question. Would Toto Wolff never want to say to all those critics from last year—people who thought Antonelli arrived in F1 too early—‘I judged it right, didn’t I, guys?’

If Antonelli is soon crowned the best in the world, Wolff will be entitled to a triumphant grin at everyone. Toto was right—that much can already be said after six Grands Prix.