Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hailed Kimi Antonelli's victory at the Miami Grand Prix as the teenager's best yet, drawing comparisons between the 19-year-old driver and Italian tennis superstar Jannik Sinner. Antonelli secured his third consecutive win after a tense battle with McLaren's Lando Norris, who chased him to the finish line but could not overtake. The result extends Antonelli's lead in the drivers' championship to 20 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, an impressive feat in only his second Formula One season.
Wolff's Praise for Antonelli
Speaking after the race, Wolff expressed his delight at having such a talented young driver in the Mercedes stable. 'It seems like a lot of the speed has always been there, everything is chipping away at the finer details,' he said. 'It's easier to slow someone, calm someone down that is wild because you won't be able to accelerate a donkey, so for me that was his best race so far. It reminds me of his karting days or Formula 4, there were no mistakes today.'
Mercedes have remained unbeaten in Grands Prix this season, with Russell winning the opening round in Australia. However, it is Antonelli's composure as he stepped into a championship-leading car that has stood out. His rookie season last year was marked by unforced errors and moments of over-aggression, but the teenager has adapted swiftly, becoming a realistic title contender that exceeds even Wolff's expectations.
Comparing Antonelli to Sinner
'I think that it's astounding, these few races,' Wolff added. 'In a way, it's what we've predicted as a team that we would have ups and downs last season, moments of brilliance, moments where you want to tear your hair out and this year, it's coming together. I don't think that any of us would have expected this kind of run. We've given him a car that is very good, and an engine that is right but how he's been able to monetise on that every single weekend is special.'
On each of the Sundays when Antonelli has won this season in China, Japan and Miami, Sinner has also won tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid, creating a sporting bonanza for Italian fans. Wolff believes the pair now belong in the same bracket. 'The easier bit is making sure that he keeps both feet on the ground here in the team. His parents have played a big part in that, to leave him grounded. The bigger problem is the Italian public. Now that they are not qualified for football, it's all about Sinner and Antonelli, and Antonelli and Sinner. Sinner won in Madrid, so it's the two that are superstars.'
