Wolff fires back at Ferrari in brutal Antonelli sponsorship reveal

Toto Wolff has suggested that newly crowned Formula 1 champion Kimi Antonelli would not have received the same patience at Ferrari or Red Bull as he got at Mercedes.

The Mercedes team principal made the claim in an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera after Antonelli clinched the 2026 world title at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Wolff specifically pointed to Ferrari's handling of academy graduate Oliver Bearman, who is currently on loan at Haas.

He also took aim at Red Bull's reputation for being cutthroat with its drivers.

"No one at Mercedes ever doubted Antonelli; we always supported him even when the results weren't coming," Wolff said.

"If he'd been at Ferrari or Red Bull, there would have been doubts."

"They would never have put him in the best car straight away and would have parked him in a small team, like Bearman."

"We had a project for Kimi, a schedule."

Wolff's comments come after Antonelli ended a 73-year drought for Italian drivers in Formula 1.

Antonelli became the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

He did so at just 19 years old, making him the youngest world champion in the sport's history.

The Italian replaced seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes at the start of the 2025 season.

He was only 18 when he was parachuted into the seat.

Antonelli's rookie season was rocky.

He showed glimpses of promise but went through a difficult European season that included only two points finishes in nine races.

Wolff stuck with him through that stretch.

In 2026, Antonelli launched the season with a five-race winning run.

He has been a cut above the rest under complicated new regulations, according to Wolff.

Wolff also revealed that Mercedes lost corporate sponsors when he chose Antonelli over Hamilton.

He admitted that some sponsors left with brutal parting shots.

One sponsor delivered a nine-word remark that Wolff has not disclosed in full.

The team principal defended the decision by pointing to the long-term investment Mercedes made in Antonelli.

"Behind this is a nine-year journey between the team and his family: he had the best coaches, the best tools, Formula 1 testing, his career was entirely financed by us," Wolff said.

"We're the only ones to do so."

Wolff also shut down the idea that Ferrari let Antonelli "slip away" as a youngster.

"It's not that Ferrari or anyone else let him slip away, as I've heard," Wolff said.

"Behind it all is hard work and an extraordinary guy who has..."

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna responded to questions about the team missing out on Antonelli.

Vigna spoke in a press conference about the company's third quarter results.

He praised Antonelli for becoming the sport's youngest ever champion.

But he insisted he does not regret failing to sign the Bologna-born driver.

"Kimi did a great job and we're all happy," Vigna said.

"He's a guy who's committed and has the talent to win."

"We extend our most sincere compliments and congratulations to him."

"As for regrets, I don't think the 'ifs' are meaningful."

"I'm not answering not because I wasn't there, but because it's a pointless question."

"Generally, when people ask me if I have regrets about the past, my answer is always no because you can't change history."

"Talent and commitment allowed him to achieve certain skills."

"Skills plus commitment allowed him to achieve these results."

"We like people who have this combination."

"But he's not the only one."

Wolff's attack on Ferrari and Red Bull has reignited debate about how top teams develop young drivers.

Ferrari has a history of loaning out academy graduates to smaller teams.

Oliver Bearman currently drives for Haas under that arrangement.

Rafa Camara, another Ferrari junior, is set to join Bearman at Haas for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend.

Red Bull has its own sister team, Racing Bulls, which serves as a development squad.

But Red Bull is known for being ruthless with drivers who underperform.

Several drivers have been dropped mid-season from the Red Bull program.

Mercedes, by contrast, gave Antonelli a direct path to the top seat.

He had no stopover at a midfield team.

Wolff framed this as a matter of philosophy and long-term planning.

"We had a project for Kimi, a schedule," he said.

Some within Formula 1 believe Antonelli will eventually drive for Ferrari.