# 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.
- Title: Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi…
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: toto wolff, mercedes, kimi antonelli, formula 1, lewis hamilton, ferrari, max verstappen, formula 2, adidas, gillette, audi, Toto
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/toto-wolff-two-sponsors-left-mercedes-after-promoting-kimi-antonelli-into-f1/10871088
- Author: Christian Nimmervoll
- Published: 2026-11-02T17:43:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: toto wolff, mercedes, kimi antonelli, f1, formula 1, lewis hamilton, ferrari, max verstappen, formula 2, adidas, gillette, audi
## 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
## Key takeaway

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.