The driver lineup for the next season looks all set, with a couple of rookies ready to make their F1 debuts. Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, and Kimi Antonelli are the exciting fresh faces for the upcoming season. The young Italian speedster Antonelli has been considered the next big thing for Mercedes. Many F1 experts have picked him as an upcoming superstar, comparing his racing style with Lewis Hamilton.
However, the pressure of replacing a seven-time world champion could not be downplayed. Antonelli has acknowledged in multiple interviews that he is working to manage the pressure and expectations. Meanwhile, the Silver Arrows are supporting the teenager as he adapts to the F1 world. Recently, Mercedes management sent a special gift to Kimi, which would help him prepare for his debut F1 season.
Mercedes Helping Antonelli To Absorb F1 Pressure
Kimi Antonelli steered the W15 in his home track of Monza. However, the sweet trip was cut short after 10 minutes when he crashed into parabolica. Despite a terrible first outing, the team management backs the young driver. The team recently sent a gift package to help Kimi prepare for the debut season. At the Festival Dello Sport Event, the teenager revealed that his team would send him a steering wheel and a small simulator to help him learn how to start the race precisely. Further, he explained the steering wheel is an actual F1 wheel to help him get accustomed to all the buttons. The drivers don’t have time to look at the steering at high speed, as their instinct takes over. Therefore, Antonelli understands the importance of learning all the buttons by heart to minimize errors.
Earlier in a media interaction, the young Italian opened up about the immense pressure of F1. However, he highlighted the key role of Mercedes management in helping him sail the challenge and pressure. Moreover, Toto Wolff has assured everyone of Kimi’s capabilities despite a nightmarish FP1 debut in Monza. Additionally, in a recent interview, Wolff revealed he wanted Kimi without any ‘contamination. This statement surfaced after F1 experts felt Mercedes might have rushed Kimi’s F1 promotion. However, Wolff is confident that Kimi will gradually learn and improve. However, he also acknowledged that Antonelli’s debut season is unlikely to be a blast, as he is still on a learning graph. Therefore, the team remains patient with the teenager, allowing him to settle in the F1 world.
Toto Welcomes Kimi Antonelli To The “WolffPack”
The official instagram account of WhatsApp recently shared a reel featuring Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. The Austrian executive added Kimi Antonelli to the Mercedes WhatsApp chat group in this light-hearted clip. Moreover, the group’s title caught everyone’s attention as it was named “Wolff Pack.” The Silver Arrow fans loved the video as it got thousands of likes and comments.