Wolff: Antonelli will be “right up there” with Russell

Mercedes Formulation 1 workforce principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to be on the tempo with George Russell throughout his rookie season, however insists the Italian’s purpose is get acclimatised forward of 2026.

Antonelli was introduced by means of the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term alternative for Lewis Hamilton,  a plan which needed to be expedited when Hamilton determined to depart for Ferrari forward of this season.

Antonelli’s promotion is the end result of a seven-year undertaking and, regardless of his tender age of 18, the younger Italian is backed by Wolff to start out matching his skilled teammate Russell from the off.

“Once we determined to go for Kimi, it was clear that we’re going for a younger driver that has proven super potential within the junior collection since we have recognized him,” Wolff mentioned as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne’s St Kilda seashore.

“For Kimi, it is concerning the time to develop, to study the tracks, to be on high for subsequent 12 months, the regulation change. Which means nice outcomes and which means moments the place it is going to be harder.

“I mentioned to George: ‘We do not anticipate you to only be crushing Kimi on a regular basis’.

“We would not have employed Kimi if we thought that may be the case. So, I imagine when it comes to velocity, Kimi goes to be proper up there with George. There’s lots to study when it comes to lengthy operating the tyres, and the event goes to be steep.

“We now have a driver mixture of 1 very younger driver, 18 years outdated, and one other younger driver, 27 years outdated, and hopefully they are going to push one another, and push one another sturdy.”

Wolff additionally reiterated that together with his alternative for homegrown skills Russell and Antonelli, making a transfer for Max Verstappen is not on his radar right now.

“We have to think about our driver line-up,” Wolff mentioned. “We have to do one of the best that now we have. I do not flirt exterior if we’re having a great relationship. And that’s true for this 12 months too. So in the meanwhile, that isn’t on our radar.”