Kimi Antonelli had another statement race at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, but it was a funny message from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that took some of the post-race attention.
Antonelli took his eighth win of the season to claim the first win at Madrid’s Madring circuit, consolidating his lead at the top of the championship. However, he did give his Mercedes team a fleeting moment of panic as the Italian comfortably led late in the race.
Why Did Toto Wolff Call Kimi Antonelli An “Idiot”?
Antonelli brushed the wall with only a few laps to go, but kept his head on straight. The young Mercedes driver didn’t sound like he was too concerned, but he reported the incident to his team and kept going for the win.
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It was enough to elicit a typically blunt response from Wolff.
“What an idiot!” Wolff said after Antonelli’s late-race scare, jokingly expressing his frustration with the unnecessary risk taken by the championship leader. The Mercedes boss was obviously happy the contact with the wall didn’t cause any damage or cost him the win.
Antonelli’s Eighth Win Leaves Wolff Impressed
Antonelli had one of his best races of the season. He started in second behind Lando Norris and then moved up to take the lead, ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Wolff’s post-race remarks indicated that his criticism was not done in anger. He commended Antonelli’s coolness and said that one of the reasons he is a great driver is that he is cool under pressure.
“I think he’s cool,” Wolff said, although he admitted that Antonelli can sometimes be “an inch too cool” when he takes risks.
Wolff added: “Sometimes for me, an inch too cool when he brushes the wall, five laps to the end, and comes on to the radio ‘check the car I think I brushed the wall.’”
The Mercedes boss then joked about Antonelli’s reaction: “You’re like: ‘Really? Again?’ Maybe that’s what helps keep him in the zone.”
The Spanish triumph was another big step for Antonelli, who is still proving himself to be Mercedes’ leader at 20. Wolff thinks he may be able to stay at the front of Formula 1 for many years thanks to his speed, confidence and composure.