Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has reflected on the emotions surrounding Kimi Antonelli’s maiden Formula 1 World Championship victory, while also discussing the team’s remaining ambitions and George Russell’s difficult 2026 campaign.
Antonelli secured the Drivers’ Championship at the 2026 F1 Mexico City GP, becoming the youngest World Champion in the sport’s history after finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The result marked a significant achievement for both the Italian and Mercedes, who supported his progression through the junior categories before promoting him to Formula 1 in 2025.
Speaking during the FIA team representatives’ press conference ahead of the São Paulo GP, Wolff reflected on Antonelli’s celebrations, the qualities that distinguish him as a driver and the importance of securing the Constructors’ Championship. He also addressed Russell’s disappointment following another challenging weekend in Mexico City.
Wolff recalls emotional celebrations following Antonelli’s title triumph
Despite Mercedes’ success in Mexico City, Wolff admitted that he initially struggled to process Antonelli’s achievement. Having overseen the Italian’s development for several years, the Austrian expected to experience strong emotions when his driver secured the championship. However, those feelings only emerged after the race, when he witnessed Antonelli celebrating alongside his family and the Mercedes team.
Wolff described the celebrations inside the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as the defining moment of his weekend. Seeing the happiness surrounding Antonelli’s achievement ultimately allowed him to appreciate the significance of the occasion.
“I forgot these things. Well certainly, Sunday was a highlight. I found myself in a strange situation that during the race and after the finish, I felt zero emotion and said to myself, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ And then going into the stadium that was properly my highlight of the weekend, seeing Kimi, the team, the parents, everybody being so happy, and you realise what he’s done is just magic. And, yeah, that was my highlight. Other than that, there were many hours in an aeroplane.”
The championship represented the culmination of a remarkable second Formula 1 season for Antonelli. After securing the title in Mexico, the Italian now enters the remaining rounds with the opportunity to build on his success.
Wolff praises Antonelli’s personality and authenticity
Beyond Antonelli’s achievements on track, Wolff believes the newly crowned champion possesses the qualities required to become an effective ambassador for Formula 1. The Mercedes boss highlighted the contrast between the Italian’s personality outside the cockpit and the competitive intensity he demonstrates while racing.
Wolff has repeatedly praised Antonelli’s character throughout his development, particularly his ability to remain grounded despite the growing expectations surrounding his career. He believes the Italian has retained that authenticity while developing the confidence and determination necessary to compete at the highest level.
“They all have their different personalities, you know. And what stands out with Kimi, I’ve said it very often, is that he’s preserved his authenticity. He’s a very polite, charming young man who is capable of deploying capability or power in the car that sometimes doesn’t fit the guy out of the car. I was always saying in the past, you can’t expect a puppy outside of the car and a lion in the car. And I think what we’re seeing is a lion in the car and a very, very good young man outside.”
The assessment echoes Wolff’s earlier comments about Antonelli representing a new generation of Formula 1 champions. With his first title secured, the Italian will now face greater expectations both on and off the track as he assumes a more prominent position within the sport.
Wolff emphasises importance of Constructors’ Championship to Mercedes
Although Antonelli has already secured the individual title, Mercedes still has an opportunity to complete a championship double in 2026. The team enters the São Paulo weekend with the possibility of clinching the Constructors’ Championship, which would provide another significant achievement following its resurgence this season.
Wolff acknowledged that every championship campaign presents different challenges, making direct comparisons with Mercedes’ previous successes difficult. However, he emphasised the particular importance of the Constructors’ title to the wider organisation, especially given the financial rewards associated with its success.
“They’re all different, with different challenges and situations. The Drivers’ was very special this year, but the Constructors’ is obviously the one that pays the bonuses. So, it’s something that is very, very important for all of the organisation. You know, you pay the mortgage, the kitchen, or the holiday, or the school of the children. And the driver is also very aware of that.”
His comments underline how championship success extends beyond the drivers and senior management. The bonuses associated with the Constructors’ Championship provide tangible recognition for the employees responsible for developing, producing and operating Mercedes’ Formula 1 machinery.
Mercedes subsequently demonstrated encouraging pace during Friday practice at Interlagos, with Antonelli topping FP2 and Russell finishing fourth.
Wolff backs Russell following disappointing Mexico City GP
While Antonelli celebrated his championship triumph, Russell endured another frustrating weekend in Mexico City. The Briton qualified second but encountered a power unit issue during the opening lap before receiving a ten-second penalty following contact with Isack Hadjar. He eventually finished sixth, bringing another difficult race to an already challenging campaign.
Russell has previously spoken about the reliability problems and setbacks affecting his 2026 season, which ultimately prevented him from sustaining a championship challenge against his teammate.
Wolff acknowledged how difficult the situation had become for Russell but praised his response, particularly his willingness to acknowledge Antonelli’s success despite his personal disappointment.
“Yeah, certainly very tough for him. I mean, you know, he’s still… he’s gone to see Kimi, which is great that he was capable of doing it. But when a season goes against you like that, it’s obviously very difficult to go through these moments. But I spoke to him. We texted the same evening, we spoke the next day, looking forward to this race and the next season. And that’s the mentality of a fighter. This one is lost. What can I do best to win the next one?”
Russell looks to recover as Mercedes targets strong São Paulo result
Despite the disappointment in Mexico, Wolff believes Russell has already begun directing his attention towards the remaining races and preparations for 2027. The Mercedes boss views that approach as an important reflection of the Briton’s determination, particularly after a season in which technical problems repeatedly compromised his opportunities.
However, Russell faces another setback at Interlagos after Mercedes introduced a sixth internal combustion engine. The change carries a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s São Paulo GP, forcing the Briton to recover positions regardless of his qualifying performance.
Nevertheless, Mercedes’ strong Friday pace provides encouragement ahead of the weekend’s competitive sessions. Antonelli will aim to build on his title-winning momentum, while Russell hopes to overcome his grid penalty and deliver a stronger result.
With Mercedes also targeting the Constructors’ Championship, Wolff remains focused on maintaining the team’s performance while supporting both drivers through contrasting stages of their careers.
