Wolff cautions Italy against 'spoiling' Antonelli with excessive hype.

      Toto Wolff has once again sought to temper the growing excitement surrounding Kimi Antonelli, despite acknowledging that the teenager has the potential to excel in Formula 1 for years to come. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver has made a remarkable start to his career, securing victories in his first three races from pole position and establishing a significant lead over teammate George Russell.

      However, Wolff warns that expectations—especially in Italy—are escalating rapidly. "We're staying grounded in Italy," he expressed to Corriere della Sera. "Since the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup, the focus is now on Sinner and Antonelli."

      "They're the stars of the moment. Requests from sponsors and invitations are on the rise, and we need to manage this while ensuring he remains in a secure environment." The constant comparisons to tennis's top player Jannik Sinner, 24, are prevalent, but Wolff cautioned that they are premature. "In Italy, it’s a constant," he noted. "But he has won three Grands Prix, while the other has been the world number one for years."

      "This is just the beginning; we must think with a long-term perspective." Despite his caution, Wolff emphasized his high regard for his young driver. "Kimi has a lengthy Formula 1 career in front of him," he said. "In the next 10 to 15 years, he has the potential to win multiple championships," Wolff was also quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

      However, he highlighted the dangers of overhyping a young talent. "We don't want to undermine the foundation of expectations by inflating them too much. Because the moment he doesn't perform in a race, people will question, 'Where has the superstar gone?'"

      "We need to maintain a trajectory, understanding that there will be highs and lows, which is natural for someone his age." "He's 19, and at that age, I couldn't even travel alone or maybe even reach the terminal at the airport. Nonetheless, what he's accomplishing is remarkable."