By: Monza was awash with red today, as always and as expected, but for once that red seemed to have forgotten Ferrari. The disastrous result for the Maranello cars was almost overshadowed when a roar rose from the grandstands to celebrate an Italian youngster who turned a Sunday that looked compromised into something unforgettable.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, starting from 19th on the grid, won the Italian Grand Prix in a Mercedes. And seeing the Ferrari faithful celebrate the victory of their oldest rival created a strange and wonderful atmosphere, one that probably only Monza can deliver.
Amid that sea of red was a man watching it all with emotion that was difficult to hide. Some victories belong to the driver who crosses the line first; others also tell the story of those who, long before anyone else, chose to believe. The win secured by Antonelli today inevitably also bears Toto Wolff's signature.
The Mercedes Team Principal chose him when it seemed almost impossible to do so. He decided to give him the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, when Kimi was only 18 and had very little experience. He defended him after mistakes, protected him in the most difficult moments and supported him when some began to wonder whether the step up had been too great.
Today, after a comeback drive and a victory destined to go down in F1 history, Wolff could finally enjoy the success of his gamble. Instead, he continues to do exactly what he has done from the start: protect Kimi. This time from the praise, the flattery and the dangerous comparisons.
When reminded that Nico Rosberg has compared Antonelli with names such as Senna, Hamilton and Verstappen, Wolff smiles and immediately tries to temper Italian enthusiasm: “You [the Italian media] are always so excited. We are a little more pragmatic. There is a long way to go to be Senna. He has all the potential to be great, but today he did a fantastic job.”
Cautious words, though spoken by a visibly emotional Wolff. In truth, Toto had already understood on Saturday that something special could happen: “I believed it was possible when I saw him yesterday, in his psychology, in his body language. The target for today was to win, and he did it.”
There is another aspect that perhaps explains even better why Antonelli, despite everything happening around him, continues to appear so remarkably natural. As we noted during the media round table, and as Vicky Piria also pointed out while interviewing Wolff, before the race Kimi looked almost like a boy ready to enjoy a kart race. No apparent tension, no weight on his shoulders despite having to start from the back in front of tens of thousands of Italians expecting something from him.
Wolff recognises this ability as one of his driver's most important qualities: “That is exactly it. It is about the way he handles pressure, but also staying cool, separating things, having focus when you need it, without putting too much pressure on yourself. The fact that he is so young also helps him a little.”
Perhaps the most significant detail came when discussing Mercedes' decision to change the power unit at Monza, condemning him to a P19 start. It was a hugely consequential decision for an Italian driver at his home Grand Prix, but one he accepted without complaint. Wolff revealed that he had also spoken to Kimi's father, Marco Antonelli, on the eve of the race. The reply was very simple: “Tomorrow, he goes.” Almost a prediction.
But the most intense moment of the Sky Sport F1 Italia interview came when Carlo Vanzini reminded Wolff where this story began. Two years ago, at Monza, Antonelli climbed into the Mercedes for FP1 and, after a few minutes, destroyed the car at Parabolica. That crash immediately became the symbol used by those who believed Wolff's decision was premature.
Today, Kimi returned to the same place and completed the most beautiful journey possible.
“It is a circle closing,” Wolff admitted. “He started here with a very difficult moment and two years later he is experiencing a moment of glory. A moment that could not be more beautiful. For me, it is also a bit of vindication. Today we showed the reason why we put him in the car, because he is one of the best we have.”
And that is probably the sentence that best captures Toto Wolff's day. Not Senna, not Hamilton, not Verstappen. Not yet, at least. As enormous comparisons inevitably begin to surround Antonelli, Wolff continues to keep his feet on the ground and give him the time to become simply Kimi.
Two years ago, Toto Wolff put an 18-year-old in the car who, minutes later, would end up in the Parabolica wall. He then gave him Hamilton's seat, absorbed the criticism, protected him and kept repeating that the talent would need time.
Today Antonelli started 19th and won the Italian Grand Prix. Wolff is right not to want to hear talk of Senna just yet. But at Monza, at least for one afternoon, his gamble became a wonderful certainty.
Cover photo by Luca Martini / WHYOUT Images
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