Kimi Antonelli, just 19 years old, is the youngest driver ever to lead the F1 points standings. Yesterday, 3/5, at the Miami Grand Prix, he maintained his stellar form by securing pole position and winning his third consecutive race. This achievement has dramatically increased expectations from his home country, Italy.

However, according to Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, he and the team are having to temper the excitement surrounding Antonelli. The young driver's impressive start in F1 provides a rare positive story for Italian sports. Wolff believes that keeping Antonelli grounded is not overly difficult, thanks to his family's support, but the pressure from the Italian public poses a significant challenge.

Kimi Antonelli celebrates after winning the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome, Florida, United States on 3/5/2026. Photo: Reuters.

"When the national football team doesn't qualify for the World Cup, all attention turns to Jannik Sinner and Antonelli. They become stars, and that's something we need to manage", Wolff stated. According to the Mercedes team principal, the young driver is facing numerous demands from the media and sponsors. "Our job is to ensure he doesn't get carried away too quickly".

Italy lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-off final, missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time. In the two previous play-off rounds, the four-time world champions were defeated by Sweden and North Macedonia, both considered weaker opponents. As a result, coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina, and team manager Gianluigi Buffon all resigned.

Assessing Antonelli's performance, Wolff described the Miami Grand Prix as the driver's best showing of the season. "There were no mistakes, just like his karting days", he said, commending the young Italian driver's ability to withstand pressure and analyze situations without becoming overwhelmed.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appears in the technical area before the race. Photo: Reuters.

Despite Antonelli's current form, Wolff cautioned that this is a long-term endeavor, as the driver has many years of top-level competition ahead. "He could win multiple championships in the next 10-15 years. We don't want to stumble just because of overly high expectations right now", Wolff added.

After a debut season with its share of ups and downs, Antonelli is demonstrating remarkable progress. Wolff noted that everything is unfolding as the team anticipated: "There have been highs and lows, moments of brilliance, and even some errors. But this year, everything is coming together. Still, no one expected him to achieve such an impressive run of results".

Beyond the on-track action, the Miami Grand Prix also attracted significant attention due to the presence of numerous prominent figures from the sports and entertainment worlds, despite stormy weather threatening to disrupt the event.

Football superstar Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, arrived early at the circuit, just one day after Inter Miami's defeat to Orlando City in MLS. The Messi family even visited the Mercedes technical area and took photos with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Lionel Messi's family poses with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Top drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen continued to be the focus of competition on the track, while the VIP stands hosted many notable personalities, including tennis legend Rafael Nadal, DJ Khaled, and former center-back Jerome Boateng. Renowned golfers Jon Rahm and Ian Poulter also attended the Miami race, despite ongoing uncertainties related to the LIV Golf system.

The presence of these stars helped transform the Miami Grand Prix into one of the season's most vibrant sport-entertainment events, where F1's appeal extended far beyond the racetrack.

By Hong Duy