Toto Wolff has described Kimi Antonelli’s performance at the 2026 United States GP as the best race of his Formula 1 career so far, praising the Mercedes driver’s development and mindset as he moves closer to a potential World Championship.
Antonelli delivered an exceptional performance in Austin, with Wolff highlighting after the race to print media the Italian’s ability to extract the maximum from his car and manage the challenges presented by the race.
The Mercedes team principal also acknowledged that the difference between Antonelli and teammate George Russell over the weekend reflected a combination of the rookie’s outstanding performance and a more difficult outing for the Briton.
“On Kimi’s side, obviously the main headline is that, for me, the best race that he’s delivered so far,” Wolff explained. Getting off the start with the inferior tyre, and not controlling it at all times. The race of a champion who isn’t attempting it, but exceptional.”
Wolff suggested Antonelli had outperformed the machinery available to him, pointing to the natural connection between the young Italian’s driving style and the Mercedes car.
“Maybe it’s a bit harsh to say, but I think his driving style just glues with the car,” he said.
The Austrian also reflected on Antonelli’s qualifying performance, believing the teenager had further time available on his final lap.
“We saw that in qualifying yesterday, where on his last lap he could have been another tenth and a half or two up.”
Wolff reflects on Antonelli’s nine-year journey
With Antonelli now on the verge of a potential championship triumph, Wolff was asked about the personal satisfaction of seeing a driver who endured significant difficulties during his rookie season develop into a title contender.
However, the Mercedes team principal was quick to emphasise the collective effort behind Antonelli’s progression, crediting the team’s junior programme, engineers and the Italian’s family for their roles in his development.
“First of all, thank you. But I wasn’t the one responsible for it. It was teamwork,” Wolff said.
“It was our junior team around Gwen [Lagrue] that discovered him when he was 11. And credit to that group that have developed him over the many years.”
Wolff pointed to the time and investment required to develop Antonelli into a driver capable of competing at the front of Formula 1, arguing that his current performances were the culmination of years of preparation rather than a sudden breakthrough.
“I read an interview of Piero Ferrari last week where he said what a talent, he reminds me of Niki Lauda. And I’m thinking, people don’t get that this is the work of 9 years. The development of 9 years, the hardship over 9 years, the integration of the team, the working with the engineers, the 10 or more spent millions in the development of his career, of his ability, of his character together with his parents. And it’s just not that it landed like this.”
Adversity in 2025 for the young driver
Antonelli’s progress has been particularly striking given the criticism he faced during his first season in Formula 1. Wolff recalled how some questioned the teenager’s place at Mercedes after he endured a difficult run without points, with others even suggesting he should not be on the F1 grid.
“There are many people that said last year after 9 races without points, he shouldn’t be in a Mercedes. People in other teams that said he shouldn’t even be in Formula 1. The tears in Spa, in Parc Fermé.”
For Wolff, seeing Antonelli respond to those setbacks and establish himself as a leading contender has made the journey especially rewarding.
“And all of that now is extremely satisfying to see what he’s able to deliver, how he’s working with the team, with Bono, and yielding the results. But it wasn’t an easy road.”
Despite the confidence surrounding Antonelli’s championship prospects, Wolff was careful not to declare the title secured before the race in Mexico.
“So I’m happy that, like you say, 99.9%. He still needs to finish the race in Mexico. So it’s either going to be a big tequila party, or if it’s not a tequila party, then it’s going to be Caipirinha the weekend afterwards.”
New regulations in 2026 playing a part in Antonelli’s title charge
Wolff was also asked whether Antonelli’s 2026 F1 United States GP performance surpassed his comeback victory at Monza, where the Italian had started from the back of the grid before fighting his way to the win.
While acknowledging the significance of the Italian Grand Prix, Wolff returned to the importance of Antonelli’s latest display.
“I’ve said that this is probably the best race I’ve seen, but my problem is that I don’t remember past races.” He added: “So both of them were pretty good. But the headline is this is the best we can keep.”
Beyond his outright speed, Wolff believes Antonelli’s ability to adapt to the current generation of cars has been a significant factor in his progress.
The Mercedes team principal suggested the introduction of new regulations had helped level the playing field, allowing Antonelli to approach the machinery without the disadvantage of having to adapt to a car concept that his more experienced rivals had already mastered over several seasons.
“I think maybe it was his benefit that the regulations were all new. When last year he came in and those cars existed, those cars existed for four years, the other drivers were used to it. And all new for everyone this year.”
Antonelli’s mindset key to his progress
Antonelli has subsequently demonstrated an ability to extract consistent performance from the car, supported by an approach that Wolff believes has helped him manage the pressure of a championship fight.
Wolff recalled a conversation with Antonelli before the United States GP race, when he appeared relaxed and focused on enjoying the opportunity rather than dwelling on the title implications.
“He’s come to my office before getting ready, before getting dressed, and just sat down on the sofa and said, I’m going to enjoy this one. And isn’t it funny, I’m not thinking at all about the championship.”
Wolff encouraged Antonelli to maintain that perspective, reminding him of the privilege of competing in Formula 1.
“And he said, well, exactly, stick to that attitude, you have the best job in the world, don’t forget that. So he has also the right mindset.”
Despite his extensive experience in the sport, Wolff admitted he still could not fully explain the scale of Antonelli’s progress.
“So back to your question, it’s been 30 or more years that I’ve tried to understand racing drivers’ brains and I still don’t know what has happened over the winter.”
“His ability to process and deliver something that’s outstanding, which we didn’t see coming, but credit to him, credit to his engineers, to his environment, his family, that he’s delivered it that way.”
