Mercedes-AMG F1 team principal Toto Wolff has opened up about his idea of a perfect driver, suggesting what Kimi Antonelli could do to become a better driver. The 20-year-old driver has come a long way since his premier class debut last year, going so far as to lead the Drivers’ Championship in the 2026 season thus far. Wolff has outlined factors that could make Antonelli one of the greatest drivers.
Antonelli was the best-performing driver among the rookie drivers who entered F1 last year, finishing seventh in the championship, behind some of the sport’s fastest and most experienced drivers.
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With the onset of a new era of regulations this season, drivers have had to change their racing style significantly, since the current car, which derives 47% of its power from the battery, is very different to drive from the ground effect cars that were phased out after the 2025 season.
Despite the regulatory and technical shift, Antonelli has adapted rather quickly to Mercedes’ W17 F1 car and capitalized on its early-season superiority, winning 7 of the 13 Grands Prix thus far.
Miami Grand Prix, Sunday, Getty Images MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 03: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 03, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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He now leads the championship with 267 points, holding an advantage of 66 points over his teammate George Russell, who is placed second in the standings. Last weekend’s Italian GP at Monza saw Antonelli start the race from P19 after receiving a power unit penalty, but he still managed to race through the pack and win.
Antonelli has displayed several traits of an F1 champion, but Wolff feels there are still areas where he can improve to become the “complete deal.” The Mercedes team boss told the media:
“In my mind, what is the perfect driver? I don’t know. A dozen of components that in a way, if I could design the perfect driver, would be essential in order to have sustained high performance levels.
“When you talk about the complete driver, the aspect of experience is still missing. That needs to come. There is also this easiness of a young man that helps to overcome difficult moments. That also helps in managing not getting ahead of himself when having these glorious moments.
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“There is the factor of whether he is capable of maturing, of staying the personality that he is, humble, with a lot of introspection, self-criticism, in order to develop. Only the future is going to show whether he is like a few drivers before him, the complete deal.”
