Wolff hails 'unbelievable' Antonelli after nightmare Monaco GP for Russell
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 18:38, 07 Jun
0 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has sung Kimi Antonelli's praises yet again after the 19-year-old secured the his fifth win in a row at the Monaco GP. The Silver Arrows boss also addressed George Russell's P13 finish after the Briton suffered multiple penalties.
At the end of a chaotic Monte Carlo race, which saw a 30-minute long Red Flag after Charles Leclerc's crash under a Safety Car restart on Lap 68 of 78, it was Antonelli who took a commanding victory ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar.
Russell, on the other hand, who was fighting for P4 against Isack Hadjar throughout the race, had to take a Drive Through penalty in the late stages, after failing to take an initial five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane correctly, and finished thirteenth.
Wolff wants to be 'balanced' after mixed result in Monaco
Photo: Race Pictures
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff said: "One part of me feels so happy for Kimi and the guys made me go the podium they said 'this is your home place, you should go' but I had a look at George and he had a weekend which wasn't good.
"And I want to keep it balanced emotionally. Now it's about picking the team up, him up when we head to Barcelona."
Further expanding on Antonelli's maiden Monaco win, Wolff praised the Italian, who becomes the youngest-ever race winner at F1's Jewel in the Crown.
"It's unbelievable what he's able to deliver. Having control, he's at times 1.5 seconds quicker than anyone else. Then restarts, builds the gap, it's really unbelievable." Wolff said.
The Austrian then revealed that both he and Antonelli's race engineer, Peter 'Bono' Bonnington, had been telling the Italian to slow down during the race - but clearly he didn't listen, continuing to build a huge gap on the chasing Hamilton.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It was from Bono [Peter Bonnington] at first, then from me! I said to him you have to tell him he has half a minute of an advantage. Then he kept putting in those times and we thought 'maybe it's his rhythm'."
After his Ferrari podium, Hamilton immediately praises Mercedes: 'What a car'
Photo: Race Pictures
Despite his P2 finish for Ferrari, Hamilton's praise was immediately directed to his former team at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion said post-race: "I have to start by congratulating Kimi and the Mercedes team, my old family.
"They've done it again; they've built a great car. And Kimi is doing an incredible job—week in, week out he delivers. It's great to see and I'm really happy for them."
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 12.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 13.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 14.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 12.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 13.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 14.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Popular on GPBlog
1
Ferrari confirm Vasseur return for Monaco GP after hospital stay
5997 times read
2
F1 Standings | Antonelli extends title lead, Hamilton leapfrogs Russell at Monaco GP
4734 times read
3
Nasty crash as Moto3 rider gets run over on final lap
2524 times read
4
Stewards' investigations continue in Monaco: Hadjar's podium under threat
2063 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 156 | |
2 | FerrariFER | 90 | |
3 | MercedesMER | 88 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 75 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 60 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 58 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 43 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 29 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 26 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 26 |
Loading
