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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed an intriguing detail surrounding Kimi Antonelli's promotion for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Austrian disclosed that two of the team's sponsors severed ties specifically over the decision to entrust the vacant seat to the teenage prodigy.
The Brackley-based outfit's bold gamble paid off in spectacular fashion. The 20-year-old stormed to victory at the Mexican Grand Prix to become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. In doing so, he eclipsed Sebastian Vettel's long-standing record by over three years and delivered Italy's first drivers' world championship in 73 years. Antonelli also joined Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton (1997 and 2008, respectively) as only the third driver in the modern era to clinch the title in just their second season.
Reflecting on the historic triumph at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Wolff explained how quickly he realized the time was ripe to promote the Italian once Hamilton announced his blockbuster switch to Ferrari.
"We have to pinch ourselves because it feels like yesterday when he was an 11-year-old in a karting garage – time flies so fast. He won in the junior categories, then endured a tough season in Formula 2 where external doubts began to surface. When Lewis told me he was leaving for Ferrari, my immediate reaction was that we had to put Kimi in the car. People were sceptical, though. We even lost two sponsors who asked, 'Who is this kid?'. But others stood by us and are now reaping the rewards of that decision."
"A calculated risk, not a real one"
Antonelli's path to the pinnacle was not without adversity. While he consistently showcased blistering speed alongside teammate George Russell, he weathered a severe mid-season slump, particularly across the European leg of the calendar.
"A difficult spell followed, and people began questioning whether he belonged in Formula 1 at all, or if he should have been placed at a smaller team first. Going nine consecutive European rounds without scoring a single point, the tears at Spa – and then to bounce back with this triumph. I am incredibly proud of the entire team for standing by him, and he has truly repaid that faith."
Wolff remained adamant that throwing the youngster straight into the factory Mercedes seat was never a reckless gamble.
"It was gut instinct. Lewis was leaving. I called Bradley Lord and said, 'Kimi is driving the car next year.' We had the telemetry and the data, and we knew it was the right call. To me, it was always a calculated risk, never a real one."
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