From Motorsport · Christian Nimmervoll · · 1m
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Toto Wolff reveals two sponsors dropped Mercedes after betting on 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli for F1.
In brief
Toto Wolff reveals two sponsors dropped Mercedes after betting on 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli for F1. Toto Wolff says two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli to F1, but he credits the driver's championship win for proving the decision. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Sponsor backlash
Two sponsors left Mercedes after Toto Wolff promoted 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli to F1.
“We had two sponsors who left us because of it. They asked me: 'Kimi Antonelli, who is this kid supposed to be?'”
Wolff's decision
Wolff confirmed Kimi would race in 2025 after Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari.
“When Lewis stood at my door that morning, everything was already clear to me.”
Sponsor names
Tommy Hilfiger and Puma left Mercedes in 2024; Adidas and Gillette joined.
“Tommy Hilfiger and sports goods manufacturer Puma left the team at the end of 2024”
2025 challenges
Antonelli scored two wins in 2024 but faced criticism for poor performance.
“He had a disappointing Formula 2 season. He should do another year in Formula 2”
Wolff's confidence
Wolff says Kimi's 2025 championship win proves the decision was correct.
“It is incredible. We really have to pinch ourselves, because it feels to us as if it was only yesterday that he was standing in a garage in junior karting as an 11-year-old”
2025 season
Antonelli won his first world championship after nine races without points.
“2025 was exactly the season I had expected. It was clear to me that it would be a project over at least two years”
Long-term success
Wolff credits Kimi's championship win for proving the decision was right.
“We really have to pinch ourselves, because it feels to us as if it was only yesterday that he was standing in a garage in junior karting as an 11-year-old”
What matters most
Toto Wolff says two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli to F1, but he credits the driver's championship win for proving the decision.
