Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff says it’s “extraordinarily satisfying” to see Kimi Antonelli’s turnaround from final 12 months because the Italian appears to safe the 2026 Components 1 world title this weekend in Mexico.
A high 9 on this Sunday’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix for Antonelli will guarantee he turns into the game’s youngest world champion at 20 years outdated – breaking Sebastian Vettel’s document by three years.
Antonelli joined Mercedes final 12 months and struggled for almost all of his rookie season after an enormous quantity of pleasure previous to his Components 1 debut.
Wolff recollects the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix as a selected low second when Antonelli was in tears after being eradicated in Q1.
“The many individuals that mentioned final 12 months after 9 races with out factors, he should not be in a Mercedes,” mentioned Wolff.
“Folks in different groups that mentioned, he should not even be in Components 1, the tears in Spa, in parc ferme. And all of that now’s extraordinarily satisfying to see what he is in a position to ship, how he is working with the staff, with Bono [Antonelli’s engineer Peter Bonnington] and yielding the outcomes. Nevertheless it wasn’t a simple highway.
“So, I am pleased that, 99.9 per cent, he nonetheless wants to complete the race in Mexico. So, it is both going to be an enormous tequila social gathering or if it is not a tequila social gathering, then it will be Caipirinha the weekend afterwards.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Craig Slater offers his verdict on the on United States GP, as a dominant win for Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli leaves the Italian needing simply two factors from the Mexico GP to say an historic first world title
Antonelli has gained 9 races this season and constantly had the higher hand on Mercedes team-mate George Russell all year long.
Wolff thinks the brand new 2026 automobiles, which supplied a reset for the sector, has benefitted Antonelli and is mystified how the Italian has hit again so strongly after final 12 months.
“I believe possibly it was to his profit that the laws had been all new. When final 12 months he got here in and people automobiles existed, these automobiles existed for 4 years. The opposite drivers had been used to it,” he mentioned.
“And all new for everybody this 12 months. And he simply made it stick together with his easiness, together with his mindset, together with his easiness of approaching issues.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff says that Kimi Antonelli’s efficiency at the USA Grand Prix was ‘distinctive’.
“In Austin, he got here to my workplace earlier than preparing, earlier than getting dressed and simply sat down on the couch and mentioned, ‘I’ll take pleasure in this one. And is not it humorous? I am not pondering in any respect in regards to the championship’.
“I mentioned, ‘nicely, precisely keep on with that perspective. You might have the most effective job on this planet. Do not forget that.’ So he has additionally the best mindset.
“It has been 30 or extra years that I’ve tried to know racing drivers’ brains and I nonetheless do not know what has occurred over the winter.
“His potential to course of and ship one thing that is excellent, which we did not see coming. However credit score to him, credit score to his engineers, to his surroundings, his household that he is delivered in that means.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Martin Brundle sits down with Andrea Kimi Antonelli to debate his profession to date at Mercedes
Antonelli seeking to win championship ‘in fashion’
Antonelli’s win final weekend in Austin was considerably of a shock after Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen gained the earlier two Components 1 races.
A number of F1 championships have been gained with out the champion ending on the rostrum in that race, however Antonelli is eager to “end on a excessive”.
“The right means could be to complete off in fashion and revel in the remainder of the season,” he advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“I am very nicely conscious it’s extremely shut however the mindset hasn’t modified. I need to end the season on a excessive to be able to have excessive hopes in 2027.
“First we focus and fear about ending this [season] nicely and we are going to see.”
Antonelli admits his success has been a “good shock” however Mercedes have performed a pivotal function in his fast improvement over the past 18 months.
“I am very fortunate as a result of I’ve an excellent group of individuals round me. Within the staff, I’ve my father, who at all times comes, then my efficiency coach,” he mentioned.
“I simply have an ideal group of individuals round me that assist me to be extra relaxed and never fear about these sorts of issues. They assist me to dam out the noise, and that is additionally what’s been permitting me to benefit from the weekend and carry out.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Kimi Antonelli appears forward to Mexico as he strikes to brink of a title win
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Mexico Metropolis GP Schedule
Thursday October 29
8pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
11pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday October 30
6pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Follow One (session begins at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Present
9pm: Crew Bosses’ Press Convention
9.30pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Follow Two (session begins at 10pm)*
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix
Saturday October 31
5.15pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Follow Three (session begins at 6.30pm)
8pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
9pm: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday November 1
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico Metropolis GP build-up
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico Metropolis GP response
11pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion
Components 1 subsequent heads south for the second leg of The Americas triple header with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix this weekend, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
