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Title Triumph and Commercial Fallout
Beyond the title secured by his 20-year-old driver, the Mercedes team boss savoured vindication over those who had criticised his decision to entrust him with Lewis Hamilton's seat. Kimi Antonelli's world championship triumph at the Mexico Grand Prix represents immense satisfaction for Toto Wolff, who revealed that two commercial sponsors had departed the team because of that choice. With this first world championship, Antonelli proved Wolff right, turning a previously controversial appointment into one of Mercedes' greatest recent successes.
Swift Succession After Hamilton Departure
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff explained that his succession plan formed immediately after Hamilton arrived at his door that morning to confirm his departure for Ferrari. While the team boss felt instant clarity regarding Antonelli's future, senior colleagues initially questioned the intention. When Wolff informed deputy team principal Bradley Lord and technical director James Allison that Antonelli would be in the car, both men reacted with astonishment, asking what he was talking about. Wolff noted that Mercedes possessed the data and saw no need for further confirmation.
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Departing Sponsors and Commercial Reaction
That conviction was not shared by every commercial partner associated with the team. Wolff disclosed that Mercedes lost two sponsors as a direct consequence of the choice, recalling that departing backers asked who this kid Antonelli was. Although Wolff did not identify the companies involved, he emphasized that commercial partners who maintained their trust are now benefiting from the team's success. At the end of 2024, Mercedes had seen Tommy Hilfiger and Puma leave before establishing new partnerships, including an arrangement with Adidas, though Wolff did not confirm that those departures were linked to Antonelli.
Weathering 2025 Rookie Criticism
Criticism intensified during the Italian driver's first season in 2025. Following a run of nine consecutive races without scoring points and a particularly difficult weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, some observers suggested that Antonelli should have continued his learning in Formula 2 or joined a less exposed team. Wolff maintained that he had not doubted his choice, explaining that it had not felt like a risk to him because he only takes calculated risks. He affirmed having consistent support from Mercedes and chief executive Ola Källenius, noting that doubts came solely from outside the organisation, including former commercial partners, competing teams, drivers who felt they deserved the opportunity, and the media.
Long-Term Project Delivers Success
Wolff maintained that the difficulties encountered during 2025 were part of the training process. He explained that he knew the project would span at least two years, expecting that the second season would confirm what had been observed in him. Looking back across the journey since first meeting Antonelli at age 11 in a junior karting garage, Wolff expressed immense pride in the team for continuing to believe in him throughout years of development, concluding that the squad's persistent faith was fully repaid.
Related reading: Toto Wolff Criticises Spoiled Drivers After Kimi Antonelli F1 Title Triumph.
