Wolff explains what’s clicked for Kimi Antonelli amid podium run

Toto Wolff has offered insight into Kimi Antonelli’s improved form after his Las Vegas Grand Prix outing.

The Mercedes team principal, who touched on the upswing the young Italian driver has continued to experience, particularly off the back of the European leg of his rookie campaign, attributed it to the nature of Antonelli being ‘parachuted’ into one of the sport’s biggest teams, before detailing how the team had expected such a trajectory through his debut season.

“He's 19 years old, and we always said that the first season can be difficult, and that's what we've seen at times,” Wolff said.

“He's being parachuted into one of the big teams, and he hasn't known many of the Grand Prix circuits or the pressure that comes with them, that's why. That's what I expected in terms of his trajectory,” he added.

The Austrian motorsports chief further expressed confidence in Antonelli improving in subsequent seasons.

“Next year is going to be completely different. The cars are new for all the drivers, not just him. He's been at the circuits, he's travelled, and he's experienced the pressures that come with being a driver. He will be one year older and more mature, so everything is going according to plan,” Wolff concluded.

Antonelli has continued to experience an upswing in form, particularly off the back of the European leg of the season. The 19-year-old secured a consecutive podium finish with third place in Las Vegas – after both McLaren drivers were disqualified from the race.

Wolff earlier reiterated his commitment to the Mercedes team, stating he had no plans to step down from his role.

The 53-year-old recently sold 15% of his shareholding in the team to George Kurtz, the co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike, in a deal that saw the valuation of the Brackley-based outfit skyrocket to £4.6 billion.

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