News Summary
- Toto Wolff criticised Formula 1’s ‘entitled’ drivers and those who constantly complain over team radio, contrasting their behaviour with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s attitude.
- The Mercedes team principal said the mentality of winning at any cost should no longer define F1, praising Antonelli’s humility, integrity, loyalty and respect.
- Antonelli confirmed he will retain number 12 rather than use the champion’s number 1 in 2027, explaining that the decision will help him remain grounded.
Toto Wolff has launched a fierce criticism of what he described as Formula 1’s entitled and selfish drivers, holding newly crowned world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli up as an example of how competitors should behave. Speaking after Sunday’s (November 1) Mexico City Grand Prix, the Mercedes team principal argued that the sport should move beyond a mentality of winning at any cost, insisting that the Italian’s humility and respect are just as important as his driving talent.
Antonelli secured the 2026 Drivers’ Championship by finishing third in Mexico, becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at 20 years old.
Wolff blasts selfish drivers and ‘endless moaners’ in F1
Wolff argued that Formula 1 has entered a new era in which individual ambition should not come at the expense of sporting values.
The Austrian criticised competitors who place their personal interests above everything else, suggesting that Antonelli represents a different model of champion.
“This notion of win at all costs, selfish, opportunistic, ruthless for your own benefit, that model of racing driver has died,” Wolff told. “We have a new champion that represents values. Humility, integrity, loyalty, respect. Being himself.”
The Mercedes boss said Antonelli’s conduct should serve as an example to other competitors, particularly those who regularly complain or become involved in incidents.
“He should be a role model for the few entitled ones in Formula One. The endless moaners on the radio,” Wolff said. “The ones that complain, the ones that crash.”
Wolff urged those drivers to reflect on the example set by the new world champion.
Although the criticism was unusually direct, he did not identify any drivers by name.
Antonelli represents the future of Formula 1, says Wolff
Wolff believes Antonelli’s importance extends beyond his historic championship victory.
The Italian joined Mercedes’ development programme as a child and has progressed through the team’s junior structure to become world champion in only his second Formula 1 season.
The Mercedes boss praised Antonelli’s attitude throughout the championship, arguing that his approach has demonstrated that success does not require arrogance or hostility towards rivals.
He also said senior figures within the sport, including Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, shared his view of the values drivers should represent.
“That is modern Formula One. Kimi represents the modern Formula One driver, because of those values, not only because of his talent,” Wolff said. “But you got to be a good person too and he has demonstrated that you can beat everyone out there by being a good person.”
Wolff acknowledged that talent exists throughout the Formula 1 grid, but insisted that character and conduct are essential qualities for a champion.
His comments came after Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record.
Antonelli refuses number 1 to remain humble
Antonelli also revealed that he intends to keep racing with number 12 in 2027 rather than adopt number 1, which he is entitled to use as reigning world champion.
The Italian explained that the number has personal significance because of his admiration for Ayrton Senna, who used it during his years with Lotus and when he won his first world championship with McLaren in 1988.
“I’ll stay with No 12 because obviously it’s a very special number for me but also it’s a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble,” Antonelli said.
He explained that retaining the number would help him approach the next season as another opportunity to improve rather than allowing his championship status to change his mentality.
The decision also reinforces his connection with Senna, whom he intends to honour with a special helmet at the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix.
Hamilton and Verstappen pay tribute to new champion
Antonelli’s title celebrations provided another example of the respect Wolff believes the Italian has earned throughout the paddock.
After finishing third in Mexico, the Mercedes driver shared the podium with race winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Lewis Hamilton.
Both multiple world champions congratulated Antonelli and lifted him into the air during the celebrations.
Verstappen said he was proud of Antonelli’s achievement, while Hamilton praised his former Mercedes team and described the championship as extraordinary.
Antonelli subsequently revealed that he intends to frame a photograph of the moment and display it at home.
The gesture illustrated the mutual respect between the new champion and two drivers who have defined much of Formula 1’s recent history.
Wolff says success and respect can coexist
Wolff concluded that Antonelli’s championship should encourage other drivers to reconsider their approach to competition.
The Mercedes boss believes the Italian has demonstrated that a driver can be aggressive and successful on track without abandoning respect for opponents.
His criticism of selfish behaviour and excessive complaints was presented as a broader message to the grid, rather than an accusation against any particular rival.
For Antonelli, the championship represents the culmination of years of development within Mercedes, but the 20-year-old has already made clear that he intends to continue improving.
The next scheduled race is the São Paulo Grand Prix on November 8, where Antonelli will compete for the first time as world champion.
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