Kimi Antonelli: Toto Wolff’s Internal Email Targeting Haters Revealed
The world title won by Kimi Antonelli marked the culmination of a gamble that, when it was first made, had raised more than a few eyebrows. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff himself recounted the journey that took the Italian driver to the top of Formula 1 in a lengthy email sent to the team’s employees. The message was initially intended for staff only but was made public by Bradley Lord, the deputy team principal, who decided to share it on LinkedIn.
In the letter, Wolff traces the milestones that marked Antonelli’s development, acknowledging the contributions of the many people who helped make his success possible. Starting with his parents, Marco and Veronica, who were instrumental from his very first steps in karting, through the coaches and technicians who have guided him over the years, all the way to the Mercedes engineers and figures such as Peter Bonnington and James Allison. Above all, the Austrian manager wanted to downplay his own role in winning the title: “I’ve received too much credit for a story that belongs to so many people.” A collective acknowledgment, then, for an achievement built through the work of an entire team.
“Putting an 18-year-old in a Mercedes wasn’t an easy choice,” Wolff admitted, reflecting on the decision to entrust Antonelli with the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton, who had moved to Ferrari. It was a bold move, met with considerable criticism both inside and outside the paddock, especially during the most challenging moments of the young Italian’s debut season. Mercedes’ stance, however, never wavered. “You can’t ask a young driver to learn and then punish him for his mistakes,” Wolff explained, emphasizing that the team never judged Antonelli solely on the basis of immediate results but always looked at his potential and what he could achieve in the years to come.
The message also mentions George Russell, whose contribution was essential in making it possible to take a chance on his young teammate. Wolff called him a champion and a key driver for the team, highlighting how his experience, speed, and leadership skills gave Mercedes the confidence needed to pair him with a rookie. The team principal also thanked the board of directors, CEO Ola Källenius, the sponsors, and his wife Susie, who had encouraged him to trust his instincts and support the decision to bet on Kimi.
The most personal part of the email, however, is dedicated specifically to Antonelli. Wolff noted that no one can drive in a driver’s place, regardless of the support and opportunities they receive. “Kimi made mistakes. We all do. But he never stopped learning, listening, and believing in what he could achieve.” The manager then emphasized how the young champion remained the same decent guy he had met many years earlier, despite the pressure and responsibilities that come with such an important seat.
The conclusion is a sort of vindication, but also a message directed at the entire Mercedes team: Wolff acknowledges that he believed in Antonelli and had the courage to make an important decision, without, however, taking sole credit for the result. “This isn’t the story of my success. It’s ours.”
