(Motorsport-Total.com) – Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had to take a lot of criticism after signing Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who came in 2025 as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. But now the 19-year-old Italian has celebrated his first Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, sending an initial signal to all critics.
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“‘He is too young. We shouldn’t put him in a Mercedes. Give him a smaller team. He needs experience. Look at his mistakes,'” Wolff congratulated his driver over the radio shortly after crossing the finish line, delivering the first swipe at all critics. “Come on, Kimi. Victory!”
A little later, the Mercedes team principal added to his statement in a conversation with the media: “When things go badly, there are always people who say: ‘That was a wrong decision’ and ‘Mercedes took too much risk’. And it was never really harsh criticism because people recognize his talent,” says Wolff.
“Nice to get a bit of payback”
“But there were many voices inside and outside the sport saying: ‘That was a mistake.’ That’s why it’s nice to get a bit of payback,” the Austrian adds with a smile, although he also knows: “Of course, it’s only one race win.”
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It is therefore unlikely that Antonelli will silence all his critics with his debut victory. “This sport we live in is manic-depressive,” Wolff adds. “Today things are going great. In two weeks we’ll be in Japan, he crashes into the wall, and people say he’s too young.”
“That’s why I think we just have to stay grounded,” says Wolff. Nevertheless, the sign has been set: Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli has taken his first Formula 1 victory – and thus shown that he thoroughly deserves his place in the premier class.
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