He recalled some saying it was a joke for such a seemingly uncooked rookie to go straight right into a high workforce, with others “bombarding” him with messages saying it was reckless and irresponsible and Antonelli wanted one other 12 months in Method Two.
“After which I heard that every one 12 months lengthy final 12 months: ‘You noticed it was a mistake. He is too younger. He is too up and down.'”
Not one of the critics had apologised, mentioned the Austrian.
NOTHING TO PROVE
Antonelli has received 9 races, together with 5 in a row. He triumphed at his house Italian Grand Prix by coming from the again of the sector and in addition stood on high of the rostrum in Monaco and Spa, two of the classics any driver yearns to have on their resume.
Wolff mentioned none of this could have come as a shock to those that had seen what Antonelli did within the junior sequence or have been conscious of how a lot nurturing and preparation Mercedes had achieved over the previous 9 years, spending thousands and thousands alongside the best way.
“This child has nothing to show any extra,” Wolff mentioned, itemizing Antonelli’s domination in karting and titles in single-seaters.
“He has nothing to show any extra as a result of he is confirmed the final eight years that he is been the most effective.”
The Austrian mentioned champions like Hamilton and Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen recognised instantly the arrival of a brand new expertise and menace.
“If you see the interplay between Max and Kimi, and Lewis and Kimi, it is all the time like ‘sport recognises sport’,” he added. “From the primary time Kimi got here on observe, Max recognised. They usually see it by following. You may see it is totally different.”
Wolff mentioned he additionally had no worries that Antonelli’s head could be turned by fame and fortune or by desirous to benefit from the fruits of his success.
“We’ve got a great construction round him,” he mentioned. “We have constructed a wall round him. His household, he has all the proper values. He has the proper mentors round. I believe we’re shielding him in opposition to doable influences.
“, he finds it fairly astonishing that folks ask for autographs or selfies. He is like ‘Actually? Is that taking place to me?’ So I do not assume he is liable to changing into the type of flamboyant younger celebrity. It isn’t going to occur.”
