Wolff Defends Antonelli's Aggressive Move on Leclerc: "Sorry Ferrari, But It's Hard Racing"

Andrea Kimi Antonelli showed improved form in Zandvoort, but his Dutch Grand Prix was marred by a significant incident with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff has come to the defense of his young driver.

Why it matters:

The incident resulted in Charles Leclerc's retirement from the race and highlighted Antonelli's assertive driving style, a quality Wolff explicitly encourages in his junior drivers. This event puts Antonelli under scrutiny while also showcasing his determination.

The incident:

Antonelli, attempting an undercut, emerged from the pits on soft tires. Leclerc pitted the following lap to cover him, only to find Antonelli closing fast. As they entered Turn 3, Antonelli took a lower line. Upon exiting the corner, the Italian clipped Leclerc's rear left tire, causing a puncture that sent Leclerc spinning into the wall and ripping off the SF-25's nose.

Wolff's defense:

When asked if Italian fans would criticize Antonelli, Wolff dismissed the notion, stating to GPblog and other media:

• "The Italian fans want an Italian driver that is fighting, that pushes the car to the limit and sometimes over the limit. And that's what happened today."
• He added, "The Italian fans don't want to have a hesitating driver, [they want] someone that goes."
• Wolff clarified that neither he nor Antonelli intended to take out a Ferrari, but concluded, "It's hard racing, unfortunate, and I'm sorry for Charles and Ferrari, but we want him to go for the moves and he should."

The big picture:

This incident underscores the fine line between aggressive racing and causing collisions in the highly competitive world of Formula 1. While unfortunate for Leclerc, Wolff's support signals Mercedes' belief in Antonelli's combative spirit as he develops.