Wolff won’t flirt with Verstappen in order to back Antonelli at Mercedes

Mercedes System 1 crew principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to match George Russell for tempo throughout his rookie season, however insists the Italian’s aim is get acclimatised forward of 2026.

Antonelli was introduced by way of the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term substitute 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 challenge and, regardless of his tender age of 18, the younger Italian is backed by Wolff to begin 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 identified him,” Wolff mentioned as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne’s St Kilda seaside.

“For Kimi, it is in regards to the time to develop, to be taught the tracks, to be on high for subsequent 12 months, the regulation change. Meaning nice outcomes and which means moments the place it is going to be tougher.

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

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

“We’ve got a driver mixture of 1 very younger driver, 18 years outdated, and one other younger driver, 27 years outdated, and hopefully they are going to push one another, and push one another robust.”

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

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