Wolff compares Antonelli's performance with Piastri's development curve
Ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has praised Antonelli's qualifying pace and consistency, but he singled out the tyre management as an area in which "il Bolognese" still needs to improve.
The Canadian Grand Prix was an almost perfect weekend for Mercedes. George Russell secured his second consecutive pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Briton then made a great start, and although reigning champion Max Verstappen kept him honest, the Mercedes driver was seemingly controlling proceedings.
Russell completed the race distance with a conventional two-stop strategy, and did not put a foot wrong to convert pole into the win, his first of the year.
His team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli also had a brilliant getaway, a bold move saw the Italian gain a place by overtaking championship leader Oscar Piastri into Turn 3 on the opening lap.
He ran third from there, and came close to picking off reigning champion Max Verstappen when the Dutchman struggled for rear grip at the end of his opening stint.
With McLaren’s MCL39 coming alive in the closing stages of the race, Antonelli came under huge pressure from Piastri, but defended superbly to pick up his first career podium and become the third-youngest driver to stand on the rostrum.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has praised Antonelli's qualifying pace and consistency, but he singled out the tyre management as an area in which "il Bolognese" still needs to improve.
“A lot has changed in recent years, because managing tires has become really difficult. It’s not just about being fast, on the dry track or in the race, but taking advantage of the tires without slipping and without overheating them. And young people find themselves dealing with all this.
“A good example is Oscar Piastri, who is leading the world championship. It took him a year and a half to reach the level of Lando Norris and this is the first year in front of him. I think it’s all about tire management.”
The Austrian continued: "For Kimi, we keep in mind that he doesn’t know all the tracks and even Montreal was a first time for him and this is a big disadvantage.
"You probably have to look at a three-year program and recognize that this is the time a young driver needs to challenge a more experienced and super fast teammate.”
“I mean, George is among the best F1 drivers today and he should be given time. But we would never have given a seat to a driver we don’t consider a potential world champion in the future.”
