Toto Wolff expresses confidence in Kimi Antonelli at the Italian Grand Prix
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 9:21 AM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated he maintained full belief in Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. Wolff indicated he was aware that the driver held the capability to secure a race win despite starting from the 19th position on the grid. The Mercedes boss described the potential for the performance in metaphorical terms, noting the driver's ability to walk over water. This perspective emerged in the lead-up to the event held on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The comments underscore the high expectations the team held for Antonelli during the race weekend despite his challenging starting spot.
- •Toto Wolff expressed belief in Kimi Antonelli prior to the Italian Grand Prix.
- •Antonelli started the race from 19th position on the grid.
- •Wolff stated he knew the driver had the potential to win from the back of the pack.
- 9:21 AMMotorsport.com — Why Toto Wolff already knew Kimi Antonelli "would walk on water" at F1 Italian GP
- 8:17 PMESPN F1 — Wolff had full faith in Antonelli to win from P19
- 7:56 PMYahoo Sports — Antonelli 'walks over water' for win that will go down in F1 folklore
- 7:53 PMBBC Sport — Antonelli 'walks over water' for win that will go down in F1 folklore
"Just like six years ago – when Pierre Gasly took victory for AlphaTauri – 6 September has proved to be a special date at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza. In 2026, home hero Kimi Antonelli sent the Italian crowd into raptures, after there had been tears among the tifosi earlier on Sunday afternoon following Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash in the Parabolica. Antonelli, however, went on to ...Keep reading
"Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claims he knew ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix that Kimi Antonelli had the potential to "walk over water" and win the race from 19th on the grid.
"Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the great F1 drives to win the Italian Grand Prix and leave Mercedes' team-mate George Russell's title hopes almost a lost cause.
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 7, 2026, 9:21 AMWhy Toto Wolff already knew Kimi Antonelli "would walk on water" at F1 Italian GP
Just like six years ago – when Pierre Gasly took victory for AlphaTauri – 6 September has proved to be a special date at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza. In 2026, home hero Kimi Antonelli sent the Italian crowd into raptures, after there had been tears among the tifosi earlier on Sunday afternoon following Charles Leclerc’s heavy crash in the Parabolica. Antonelli, however, went on to ...Keep reading
- ESPN F1Sep 6, 2026, 8:17 PMWolff had full faith in Antonelli to win from P19
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claims he knew ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix that Kimi Antonelli had the potential to "walk over water" and win the race from 19th on the grid.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 7:56 PMAntonelli 'walks over water' for win that will go down in F1 folklore
Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the great F1 drives to win the Italian Grand Prix and leave Mercedes' team-mate George Russell's title hopes almost a lost cause.
- BBC SportSep 6, 2026, 7:53 PMAntonelli 'walks over water' for win that will go down in F1 folklore
Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the great F1 drives to win the Italian Grand Prix and leave Mercedes' team-mate George Russell's title hopes almost a lost cause.
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