Italian Grand Prix Report: Antonelli’s Performance Critiqued by Wolff
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff criticized rookie Kimi Antonelli’s performance during the Italian Grand Prix, calling it “underwhelming.” Following a challenging weekend at Monza, Antonelli struggled significantly with consistency, culminating in a disappointing ninth-place finish.
The troubles began in Friday’s second practice session when Antonelli spun out, losing crucial long-run data. Despite qualifying closely behind teammate George Russell, a subsequent penalty for forcing Alex Albon off track further hampered his race. Ultimately, Antonelli finished over 20 seconds adrift of Russell.
Wolff stated, “You can’t put the car in the gravel bed and expect to be there. All of the race was underwhelming.” He acknowledged Antonelli’s potential but expressed concern over the driver’s ability to shake off past errors. “I think a clean weekend means almost not carrying too much trauma of previous mistakes into the next session,” Wolff added, referencing Antonelli’s difficulties in overtaking Pierre Gasly, possibly linked to his recent incident with Charles Leclerc at Zandvoort.
Despite advancements with Mercedes’ rear suspension, which has posed challenges for drivers, Wolff emphasized the importance of instilling confidence in Antonelli. “Just freeing him up is key… we need to get rid of the ballast,” he concluded, reinforcing his belief in Antonelli’s natural talent and future potential.
