Wolff praises Antonelli despite ‘botched’ Japan start

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has lauded Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable development following his consecutive wins, describing the 19-year-old’s rise as 'incredible.' While celebrating the victory, Wolff also addressed the team's ongoing struggle with race starts, which he described as 'mediocre' and in need of improvement. He noted that the 'botched' start in Japan nearly cost them the race, as it forced the team to rethink their strategy, ultimately relying on the safety car period to put Antonelli back in contention. Wolff also discussed the team's internal dynamics, acknowledging that George Russell faced a disadvantage due to an early set-up change that hindered his car's performance. Despite this, he expects a close battle between his drivers throughout the season. Reflecting on Antonelli's journey within the Mercedes Junior Programme, Wolff highlighted how rapidly the youngster has transitioned from a young protégé to a race-winning talent, joking about how quickly the years seem to have passed as the team continues to nurture his growth.