Mercedes have pledged to safeguard their young driver, Kimi Antonelli, from intense media pressure in Italy, where fans have hailed the 18-year-old as a legend.
Antonelli’s third-place finish in Canada marked his first career podium and made him the first Italian to reach the top three since Jarno Trulli at the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix.
Italy’s last Formula 1 victory came in 2006, when Giancarlo Fisichella triumphed in Malaysia, while their last world champion, Alberto Ascari, claimed the title in 1953, during the sport’s fourth season.
However, the spotlight on Antonelli intensified at his home race in Imola, where Mercedes acknowledged they failed to adequately shield him from a media storm.
This coincided with a dip in his performance, with four retirements in six races, including mechanical issues in two and collisions in Austria, where he tangled with Max Verstappen, and at Silverstone, where Isack Hadjar smashed into his car in wet conditions.
Since his Miami points, Antonelli’s only score came from the Canadian podium, yet he holds seventh in the drivers’ standings, trailing only the McLaren, Ferrari, Verstappen, and teammate George Russell.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized the need to protect their rising star. “Italy have been desperate for drivers in race-winning or championship-contending cars,” Wolff said to the press.
“The enthusiasm is massive, but headlines calling Kimi a legend after one podium are unhelpful. In a country so passionate about racing, elevating an 18-year-old to that status is dangerous.”
Wolff highlighted the pressures Antonelli faces, from fans seeking selfies to expectations from those involved in his early career. “When a young driver faces pressure from every angle, it can hinder their development,” he added.
“With George Russell as a teammate and a Mercedes car capable of winning races, there’s already enough on his plate. We’re working hard to shield him.”
Recent posts on X from Italian fans reflect the fervor, with some calling Antonelli “the future of Italian racing,” while others urged media to “let him grow without the hype.”
Mercedes, meanwhile, shared a statement on X, saying, “Kimi’s talent is undeniable, but we’re focused on giving him the space to develop at his own pace.”
The Formula 1 season continues with the Belgian Grand Prix, set for 44 laps around the 7.004-kilometer Spa-Francorchamps circuit on July 27, where Antonelli and Mercedes aim to refocus and build on his early promise.
