LONDON : Kimi Antonelli’s rapid rise in Formula One reflects not only exceptional talent but also a generation of drivers better prepared for success, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said after the Italian’s stunning victory at Monza.
Antonelli, 20, leads teammate George Russell by 66 points and is on course to become Formula One’s youngest world champion.
Asked at Monza whether the characteristics of the 2026 cars, with their greater reliance on electric power, had contributed to Antonelli’s rise, Wolff said the new generation of drivers had an advantage through extensive use of simulators.
“This is a generation that’s coming up that is better prepared than the generation before,” Wolff said.
“Simulators have become much more than a toy. You can see that all the people once they drive simulators, they drive all kinds of cars – rally cars, sportscars, GT cars.
“So that’s an additional tool that this generation of drivers have.”
Wolff compared Antonelli’s ability to learn and adapt to a continuously improving artificial intelligence system, saying young drivers could develop cognitive skills through simulator use from an early age.
“I think that’s why they come into Formula One at that age with so much more bandwidth. Everything goes in slow motion because they are doing this every day, day in and day out … and the next one is probably going to have another layer on top,” he said.
ITALY BUZZING AFTER ANTONELLI WIN
Antonelli’s teammate Russell, 28, has struggled to adapt to the new era despite being regarded as the pre-season favourite. He belongs to the same generation as McLaren’s world champion Lando Norris and Red Bull’s four-times champion Max Verstappen, both keen gamers and simulator drivers.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, 19, is another driver from Antonelli’s generation and has scored points in eight of 13 races this season.
Antonelli’s remarkable home victory at Monza on Sunday, after starting 19th on the grid, prompted comparisons with some of Formula One’s great comeback drives, including those of Ayrton Senna.
The result also generated huge excitement in Italy despite Ferrari enduring a difficult weekend.
Ferrari have traditionally been the main attraction for Italian fans, particularly during Michael Schumacher’s successful years with the team. But an Italian world champion would represent something new, with the country having not produced one since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli’s 66-point advantage over Russell has raised the prospect of ending that long wait.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated the driver, while Gazzetta dello Sport devoted its first 15 pages to his victory.
Antonelli also celebrated by eating spaghetti from the bowl of his silver trophy, although he said it was not as good as his grandmother’s.
