Toto Wolff Praises Kimi Antonelli After Strong Brazilian GP Sprint Showing

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff lauded rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli following his impressive second-place finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race. With Antonelli closely challenging championship leader Lando Norris, both he and teammate George Russell demonstrated strong pace at Interlagos, suggesting Mercedes might have found an advantage at the São Paulo circuit.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' recent performance, particularly the strong showing from rookie Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, signals a potential resurgence for the Silver Arrows. After a challenging season, finding genuine race pace and seeing a young talent like Antonelli perform under pressure could be crucial for the team's morale and future development, especially with the 2026 regulations on the horizon. This strong showing could indicate a turning point for Mercedes' competitiveness.

The Details:

• Antonelli's Performance: Antonelli secured second place in the sprint race, applying significant pressure on Lando Norris, who ultimately won. Wolff noted Antonelli's ability to stay in Norris's gearbox, a feat not often seen against the McLaren driver.
• Team Pace: Both Antonelli and Russell displayed strong pace, with Russell completing the sprint podium in third. Wolff believes Mercedes might have had the fastest, or at least the second fastest, car if their drivers were ahead from the start.
• Fair Racing: Wolff praised both drivers for their fairness, specifically highlighting George Russell giving Antonelli space at the start of the chaotic race.
• Challenging Conditions: Antonelli described the sprint as 'fun but tricky,' citing difficult conditions at the beginning, high tire degradation, and increasing wind during the race.
• Sauber Crash: Before discussing his team's performance, Wolff expressed relief that Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto was okay after a violent crash on the final lap, comparing it to Rubens Barrichello's airborne shunt at Imola.
• Points Haul: The strong sprint result netted Mercedes 13 crucial points.

What's next:

Antonelli's confidence is high heading into the main Grand Prix, despite acknowledging the tight field and the difficulty in putting a perfect lap together during qualifying. With Mercedes showing genuine race pace, the team will be aiming to convert this momentum into a strong result in the Grand Prix. A repeat or even better performance from both drivers would solidify Mercedes' return to form and further build Antonelli's reputation as a future star.