Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff has explained his decision to promote young driver Kimi Antonelli despite early mistakes and criticism. Drawing from his own racing background, Wolff emphasized understanding the pressures faced by drivers. He described the move as a calculated risk.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes' CEO and team principal, shared insights into his management style in an interview with The Athletic. A former racer himself, Wolff competed in events like the Austrian Formula Ford Championship, the 1994 24 Hours Nürburgring, and the Italian GT Championship before joining Mercedes in 2013. He said, 'I was a driver myself, so I understand the pressures that these kids are exposed to. And they’re multi-dimensional pressures.'