Formula 1: Mercedes boss hopes Italian public are fair to ‘superstars’ Antonelli, Sinner
Toto Wolff wary of Italy’s World Cup failure adding to hype around driver, who has become first Italian to win three straight races since 1952
Toto Wolff warned Kimi Antonelli not to get carried away by the fervour of the Italian public as he put his young driver alongside tennis superstar Jannik Sinner.
Antonelli’s victory at the Miami Grand Prix was his third in a row, becoming the first Italian to achieve that since Alberto Ascari in 1952. The Mercedes driver held off the challenge of reigning champion Lando Norris on Sunday.
The 19-year-old will head to Montreal in three weeks’ time 20 points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell after he again underlined his credentials as a genuine title contender.
Antonelli’s three wins this season have come on the same day that Sinner clinched victory in Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid.
Wolff, who has overseen seven drivers’ championship wins, believes there is fierce pressure on his blossoming star.
“The easiest bit is making sure that he keeps both feet on the ground within the team; his parents have done a great job in keeping him grounded,” Mercedes Team Principal Wolff said.