LONDON : Kimi Antonelli is developing as expected in his second season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on Monday, while dismissing comparisons between the teenager and late Brazilian great Ayrton Senna.
The 19-year-old championship leader, who has won the last two races, holds a nine-point advantage over teammate George Russell and is the youngest driver to lead the standings. He is also the first Italian to win back-to-back races since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
“When it comes to Kimi, we’ve always been very clear in our objectives,” Wolff told reporters. “Our first year was about learning with some great performances and difficult moments, and now in the second year he continues to develop as we had hoped.
“In Italy everybody wants to talk about world championships and comparisons to Senna, which I don’t enjoy because he’s a 19-year-old.”
Wolff praised Antonelli’s ability to handle expectations, saying the team had struck the right balance between support and pressure.
“He copes very well. Sometimes we put our arm around him, other times we push him, but overall everything is coming together as expected,” he added.
Wolff also defended Russell, who began the season as the team’s on-track leader but has fallen behind due to circumstances beyond his control.
“I haven’t seen many mistakes from George, but I have seen races going against him,” Wolff said, citing issues with safety car timing and track position.
“He’s driving at a very high level, he’s instrumental to the team’s success and a great character. He’s a Mercedes driver through and through.”
