Toto Wolff is not asking for miracles from Kimi Antonelli

The words of Toto Wolff

The day has come for Kimi Antonelli to make his F1 debut behind the wheel of Mercedes. The 18-year-old could already be made official these days as the official driver for next season, replacing Lewis Hamilton.

Interviewed by the BBC Toto Wolff spoke precisely about his new protégé: "You find out if someone è ready for F1 only when you throw him into the fray. I think Kimi is ready. We are doing everything we can to get him to test days. We are not sitting with him in the car. È he who has to do it. He has the talent, the’intelligence, the ability, everything to do it well".

"We have to ensure him an ‘ideal ecosystem’ within which he can’learn and grow. We have to give time to young pilots. George è a formidable pilot, one of the best. You cannot expect an 18-year-old to sit in the car and beat him. It wonè t happen. È impossible. And è that’s why we have to make sure that the press, especially in Italy, doesn’t put too much pressure".