Mercedes boss Wolff says Antonelli developing as expected, praises Russell too

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antonelli-andrea-kimi/ptGu0mT1/"]Antonelli[/a], the youngest F1 championship ‌leader and first Italian to win twice in succession ‌since Alberto Ascari in 1953, leads experienced teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/russell-george/xxF56RaN/"]George Russell[/a] by nine ‌points.[/p][p][b]"When it comes to Kimi, we've always been very clear ‌in our objectives,"[/b] Wolff told reporters on a video call.[/p][p]"Our first learning year with great performances, highlights, and then other moments where it's going ‌to be very difficult. And we've exactly seen ⁠that.[/p][p][b]"And now we're in ‌the second year, and he continues to develop in a way that ​we have hoped to see and forecast.[/b][/p][p][b]"Of course, in Italy everybody wants to talk about world championships and comparisons ​to (late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton) Senna come up, which is something which I don't enjoy reading because he's a 19-year-old."[/b][/p][p]Wolff ⁠praised Antonelli's handling of ​the pressure.[/p][embed guid="c3718c51-8984-4ef1-a6ef-8d369d6be336" url="https://x.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/2045187367074443664" social-type="twitter" /][p]"He copes very well," he said. [b]"I think in the team, there are times when we put our arm around him. Other times, we exercise more pressure. But overall, everything is coming together as ‌expected."[/b][/p][p]Wolff said Russell, who started the season as title favourite and team leader on track, had been unlucky after winning the opener in Australia.[/p][p]The Briton started and finished second in China after a problem hit his qualifying, and he then had to fight back after an early safety car period left him second in the queue for fresh tyres at Mercedes.[/p][p]In Japan, Russell was fourth after the safety car was deployed just after he had ‌pitted while leading Antonelli, who had yet to come in for ​fresh tyres and did so while staying ahead.[/p][p][b]"I haven't seen ‌many mistakes that George has made until now, but I have seen races going against him that he could have won in safety cars or being stuck in traffic,"[/b] said Wolff.[/p][p][b]"He's driving on such a high level, he's instrumental to ⁠the team's success. He's a ⁠great character. He's a ‌Mercedes driver, and we can see that."[/b][/p]