Antonelli Praises Wolff's Role In His Rising Motorsport Career

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Kimi Antonelli has praised Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for boosting his confidence during challenging times early in his Formula 2 career. Antonelli, currently seventh in the F2 standings, bypassed F3 to compete directly in F2. Despite a rocky start with PREMA Racing, he secured his first F2 victory at Silverstone in July and later won in Hungary.

Antonelli values his relationship with Wolff, often seeking advice during tough moments. "I am also very happy with the relationship I have [with Wolff]," said Antonelli. "In difficult moments I ask him for advice and he always looks for a way to give me confidence." After a disappointing qualifying session at Silverstone, Wolff's guidance helped Antonelli regain his confidence, leading to a win the next day.

Reflecting on these experiences, Antonelli believes overcoming difficulties strengthens one's attitude. "When you go through difficult times, I think you come out stronger in the end, also in terms of attitude," he noted. His victories at Silverstone and Budapest are testaments to this belief.

While focusing on his F2 campaign and participating in several test sessions with Mercedes, Antonelli remains a hot topic of speculation. The Italian is considered a top candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes as Hamilton moves to Ferrari for the 2025 season after 11 years with the team.

Despite the rumours, Antonelli remains grounded about his future prospects. "I'm very happy to be considered [for F1], but I'm not asking for anything," he commented. His current goal is to excel in Formula 2 before considering any potential move to Formula 1.

Antonelli acknowledges that joining Formula 1 is still a dream for him. "I did happen to think about it, but it is a passing thought," he admitted. "In all honesty, I can tell you that for me today it is still a dream. We'll see if it comes true."

The support from Wolff has been instrumental in Antonelli's recent successes. After struggling initially with PREMA Racing, his podium finishes at Silverstone and Hungary highlight his resilience and growing confidence.