Wolff calls Antonelli’s Austin performance exceptional

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After Kimi Antonelli won in Austin, Toto Wolff praised his performance and recalled their conversation before the race. The victory moved Antonelli closer to his first Formula 1 title, but results for his direct rivals kept him from clinching it.

GPBeat · NewsroomGPBeat · Newsroom27 Oct 2026, 13:24 · 1 min

Kimi Antonelli moved a step closer to his first Formula 1 title with his win in Austin, but results for his direct rivals meant he could not clinch it there. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called the performance exceptional and said Antonelli drove strongly throughout the race.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Wolff recalled Antonelli seeking him out in his office before getting ready for the race. Antonelli told him he wanted to enjoy the occasion and was not thinking about the championship, Wolff said. He added that the Italian was still discovering how the moment was affecting him emotionally.

Wolff also credited Mercedes’ strategy team. He said Mercedes had discussed the possibility of a Max Verstappen undercut but stuck with a one-stop plan. Wolff said the strategy was eight seconds faster in theory and that the advantage proved even greater in the race.

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