In a bid to minimise pressure ahead of this year’s Formula 2 campaign, Toto Wolff makes sure to set manageable targets for Kimi Antonelli. Considering the scrutiny drivers face at all levels of motorsport, it is crucial for young talents to have a strong support system.
This is especially true for those at F1 driver academies, given the inevitable links to full-time F1 seats.
However, the expectations surrounding Kimi Antonelli heading into 2024 are higher than what most will experience throughout their careers.
The Italian driver is perceived as a potentially generational talent, owing to his outstanding record in junior categories.
Antonelli has Championships galore in his young career, taking every competition in his stride. As a result of the 17-year-old’s consistently impressive results, Toto Wolff has taken a bold step for this season.
Antonelli will compete in Formula 2 with PREMA, jumping immediately from Formula Regional and skipping Formula 3. This step forward can be taken in two ways.
On one hand, this gives Antonelli an opportunity to accelerate his career. Provided he performs well this season, Mercedes will continue to hold him in extremely high regard.
This is not to say the Italian will be promoted to Formula 1 immediately. After all, this year is – in theory – all about adjustment and adaptation.
There is also the risk, though perhaps a minimal one, that he takes longer than anticipated to adapt.
Still, if the prodigy can compete at the front in 2024, it will only be positive. Given the circumstances of Antonelli’s rookie season – which will be alongside another exciting prospect in Oliver Bearman – there will be a reasonable grace period.
(L to R): James Allison (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 Technical Director with Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director.
27.04.2019. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street Circuit, Azerbaijan, Qualifying Day.
Photo credit should read: XPB/Press Association Images.
Wolff manages expectations
With this in mind, Toto Wolff makes clear that his academy driver is not expected to produce heroics:
“In go-karting, his track record was immense, and then you put him in the junior formulas, and he wins every single season in his rookie year.
“But we’ve got to be careful because there’s a lot of hype around him. Putting him into F2 is a big step because those cars are heavier and much more powerful.
“If we give him his time and don’t expect him to be killing it in his first season.
“I think he can be a really great one in this sport. He’s 17 – this is so young.”
The Mercedes team principal correctly outlines that Antonelli is still developing and learning as a driver.
Whilst his record is undoubtedly impressive, this should not serve as justification to get carried away too quickly.
Instead, the aim will be to slowly integrate and develop a driver who is extremely promising. Antonelli’s early F2 debut gives him a longer window of opportunity than most, so time is certainly on his side.
Ideally, this will give him the freedom and confidence to compete without the fear of making mistakes.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
