Antonelli’s generation is better prepared for success: Wolff

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes that the upcoming generation of Formula One drivers is better prepared for success than the previous one. He acknowledges that the 2026 cars, with their increased electric element and demanding driving characteristics, have contributed to the meteoric rise of 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who is on track to become the sport's youngest world champion.

Wolff compares Antonelli to a continuously self-improving AI agent, highlighting his remarkable ability to learn and absorb information. He attributes this talent to the fact that drivers from this generation are exposed to simulators from a young age, which instills cognitive abilities and allows them to drive various types of cars, such as rally cars, sportscars, and GT cars. This exposure gives them an additional tool for success in Formula One.