Wolff: Two sponsors left after Antonelli was confirmed

Toto Wolff, the head of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, told Sky Sports that two sponsors left the team after it decided to give a race seat to young driver Kimi Antonelli. On Sunday in Mexico, Antonelli secured the Formula 1 world championship title, winning it in only his second season in the series.

Sponsors' scepticism

Wolff recalled that some partners doubted the choice. According to him, sponsors asked who this Antonelli actually was. Others stayed with the team and, as he put it, are now reaping the rewards.

Wolff did not name the two sponsors who departed. It is known that fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger and sportswear maker Puma left the team at the end of 2024.

The decision was clear immediately

Before the 2025 season, media speculated about several candidates, including Max Verstappen, after seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari. Wolff says the choice was clear to him on the very morning Hamilton confirmed it. In his view no further confirmation was needed, as Antonelli had already proven himself in Formula 4 and Formula Regional racing.

The team boss stressed that the decision was not a gamble. He said he only takes calculated risks, where the worst outcome would be that life in the team would not fundamentally change.

A difficult debut season

Antonelli's 2025 debut season was tough: he failed to score points nine races in a row. Wolff admitted the season was exactly what he had expected, and that the project was planned for at least two years. He believes the second season has confirmed what the team saw in the young driver.