Wolff puts ‘tequila on ice’ as Antonelli closes in on Formula 2 title with two-point lead

**Lead**

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team principal, has admitted he has put a bottle of tequila on ice in anticipation of Kimi Antonelli securing the Formula 2 championship this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Italian teenager holds a two-point advantage over his nearest rival with only one round remaining, and Wolff’s light-hearted remark underscores the high stakes and the significance of Antonelli’s development within the Mercedes junior programme.

**Context**

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 17, has long been regarded as one of the brightest prospects in motorsport. Born in Bologna, he joined the Mercedes driver academy in 2019 and has since dominated the junior categories, winning the Italian F4 and ADAC F4 titles, followed by the Formula Regional European Championship, and then finishing runner-up in the Formula Regional Middle East series. This season, racing for Prema Racing in F2, Antonelli has delivered a string of mature performances, including four race wins and seven podiums, to build a slender lead at the top of the drivers’ standings.

His main challenger is Isack Hadjar of Campos Racing, who trails by just two points. The final round of the F2 season takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit, a track that has historically produced unpredictable racing. Antonelli’s consistency has been his greatest asset, but Hadjar’s raw pace means the title could swing either way.

Mercedes has already confirmed that Antonelli will step up to Formula 1 in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari. The decision to promote a driver who has not yet won an F2 title is a show of faith from Wolff, who has been closely monitoring Antonelli’s progress. The team has also signed George Russell to a new long-term contract, creating a young and dynamic line-up for the next era.

**Analise**

Wolff’s comment about the tequila is more than a throwaway line. It reflects the internal confidence at Brackley that Antonelli is ready for the top tier. By putting the celebration on ice, Wolff is signalling that the result in Abu Dhabi is almost a formality – a risky psychological move, but one that also places pressure on the shoulders of the 17-year-old. In a championship decided by two points, any slip-up could turn the tequila sour.

The broader significance of Antonelli’s potential title extends beyond Mercedes. If he wins, he will become the youngest ever Formula 2 champion, breaking Charles Leclerc’s record. He would also be the first Italian to win the crown since Antonio Giovinazzi finished second in 2016 – and Giovinazzi never won the title. Italian motorsport has been searching for its next star since the days of Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella; Antonelli represents the best hope in a generation.

For F1, Antonelli’s arrival cannot come soon enough. The sport is experiencing a surge in popularity driven by Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ and the intense rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Young stars such as Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have already refreshed the grid, and Antonelli fits the mould of the next wave. His combination of raw speed, technical feedback, and calm demeanour has impressed insiders. However, the jump from F2 to F1 is notoriously brutal, and even a title this weekend will not guarantee instant success at the top.

Wolff knows this. That is why his approach has been measured: give Antonelli plenty of simulator time, run him in private tests with older cars, and embed him in the team’s culture before the 2025 season. The tequila is a symbolic gesture, but the real work begins once the bottle is opened.

**Fontes**

This article is based on comments made by Toto Wolff during the pre-race press conference in Abu Dhabi, as reported by Reuters, Sky Sports F1, and the official Formula 2 website. Championship standings and historical data are sourced from the FIA and Motorsport Stats.