Wolff stops flirting with Verstappen and backs Antonelli to rival Russell at Mercedes

Mercedes CEO and team principal Wolff also reveals Max Verstappen is not on the Brackley squad's radar - for now

Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff says he expects Andrea Kimi Antonelli to be on the pace with George Russell during his rookie season, but insists the Italian's goal is get acclimatised ahead of 2026.

Antonelli was brought through the Mercedes junior ranks as a long-term replacement for Lewis Hamilton, a plan which had to be expedited when Hamilton decided to leave for Ferrari ahead of this season.

Antonelli's promotion is the culmination of a seven-year project and, despite his tender age of 18, the young Italian is backed by Wolff to start matching his experienced teammate Russell from the off.

"When we decided to go for Kimi, it was clear that we are going for a young driver that has shown tremendous potential in the junior series since we've known him," Wolff said as Mercedes kicked off its season with a gathering on Melbourne's St Kilda beach.

"For Kimi, it's about the time to develop, to learn the tracks, to be on top for next year, the regulation change. That means great results and that means moments where it's going to be more difficult.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

"I said to George: 'We don't expect you to just be crushing Kimi all the time'.

"We wouldn't have hired Kimi if we thought that would be the case. So, I believe in terms of speed, Kimi is going to be right up there with George. There's a lot to learn in terms of long running the tyres, and the development is going to be steep.

"We have a driver combination of one very young driver, 18 years old, and another young driver, 27 years old, and hopefully they're going to push each other, and push each other strong."

Wolff also reiterated that with his choice for homegrown talents Russell and Antonelli, making a move for Max Verstappen is no longer on his radar at this time.

"We need to concentrate on our driver line-up," Wolff said. "We need to do the best that we have. I don't flirt outside if we're having a good relationship. And that is true for this year too. So at the moment, that is not on our radar."