Mercedes boss’ email to staff after Antonelli’s F1 title pays tribute to teamwork
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reflected on the gamble of promoting 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, recalling criticism surrounding the decision and the difficult moments that followed in an emotional email to team staff following the Italian’s historic Formula 1 triumph.
Antonelli, 20, became the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday. The Italian beat Sebastian Vettel’s previous record from 2010 by more than three years.
In an email to Mercedes staff posted by deputy team principal Bradley Lord on LinkedIn, Wolff acknowledged that his decision to promote Antonelli had attracted considerable attention. But he emphasized that the success was the result of a collective effort and not something he could take credit for alone.
“Success has many fathers. Failure is an orphan,” Wolff wrote, before adding that he was given “far too much credit for a story that belongs to so many people.”
Also read: Bumped into Lewis Hamilton’s seat, Kimi Antonelli rises to conquer F1
Wolff recalled meeting Antonelli when he was just 11 years old and his journey from karting to Formula 1. He said the decision to put the teenager in the seat vacated by Hamilton was never going to be easy, given the stature of the seven-time champion and the expectations that come with driving for Mercedes.
Kimi Antonelli, the world is yours #F1 #MexicoGP Formula 1 (@F1) November 3, 2026
“Replacing Lewis Hamilton, the most successful driver in Formula 1 history and arguably its most culturally significant figure, with a teenager was never going to be an easy decision,” he wrote.
“There was a lot of criticism in and out of the sport about putting an 18-year-old in Mercedes. And when Kimi went through a difficult period where he didn’t score points for several races, those doubts were understandably heightened.”
Antonelli’s 2025 rookie campaign was far from straightforward. After an encouraging start that included fourth place in Australia, Sprint pole position in Miami and his first F1 podium in Canada, the Italian endured a difficult middle stage of the season. He struggled with consistency, suffered several retirements and went through a long spell without scoring.
Despite a difficult middle stage, Antonelli recovered towards the end of the season to finish seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 150 points and three podium finishes.
‘WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE MISTAKES’
However, Wolff insisted Mercedes never expected Antonelli’s first season to be error-free.
“We knew there would be tough weekends, mistakes and times when people would question our judgment. That was always part of the journey we were committed to,” he wrote.
“You can’t ask a young driver to learn and then punish him for mistakes. It was never important where Kimi stood after one difficult race, but where he could be in the next few years.”
Rewriting history We have a new youngest champion in rider history. Take a bow, Kimi Antonelli #F1 #MexicoGP Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026
Wolff also acknowledged the role his wife Susie played in supporting his decision to promote Antonelli, especially when doubts began to arise about the move.
“And on a personal level, I want to thank my wife Susie. She knows better than anyone what this job requires and understands motorsport and the pressures that come with it. When I was considering the decision to put Kimi in the car, she encouraged me to trust my instincts and have the courage to continue doing what I thought was right.”
Wolf credited George Russell with giving Mercedes the confidence to make the decision. The Briton’s experience, speed and leadership, he said, gave the team a reliable presence while Antonelli found his feet in Formula 1.
“One of the reasons we were able to make the jump was George,” Wolff wrote, acknowledging that Russell had a frustrating season alongside the young Italian.
“We could only take the risk of putting Kimi in the car because we knew we already had a champion and number one driver in George. Someone with the speed, experience and leadership to carry the team and the strength of character to embrace a young teammate with huge potential.”
The Mercedes boss also singled out technical director James Allison for backing his judgment and ensuring the technical organization gave Antonelli the support he needed. Race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, who previously worked closely with Hamilton, received particular credit for helping the Italian navigate the demands of Formula 1.
A GREAT START TO LIFE
Kimi Antonelli with his parents after the F1 title (AP Photo)
Wolff reserved considerable praise for Antonelli’s parents, Marco and Veronica, and the people who helped shape his career during his go-kart and junior races.
“… what they gave Kimi goes far beyond racing. His humility, integrity and loyalty, combined with his extraordinary ambition and determination, are qualities that came from home. We may have helped him develop those values further, but his family laid the foundation. He couldn’t have asked for a better start in life.”
However, Wolff was clear that the support system can only take Antonelli for now. The Italian had to deliver himself on the track.
“No one can give him the determination to keep driving after a difficult weekend, the courage to get back in the car after making a mistake, or the resilience to deal with the extraordinary pressure that comes with driving for Mercedes,” he wrote.
Wolff added that Antonelli never stopped learning, listening or believing in his abilities, while remaining the same “basically decent young man” he first met at age 11.
Reflecting on the attention he received for identifying Antonelli’s potential and promoting him to Formula 1, Wolff returned to the joint pursuit of a championship-winning path.
“Yes, I believed in him. And yes, at some point I had to make a decision and stand by it,” he wrote.
“But it’s a lot easier to believe in someone when so many good people have already given you every reason to believe.
Wolf signed off with a message that summed up the purpose of his email: “This isn’t my success story. It’s ours. And I couldn’t be prouder of everyone who was a part of it.”
– The end