Wolff: Antonelli Monza FP1 crash has zero effect on signing him

The 18-year-old Antonelli is the clear favourite to take Hamilton's seat alongside George Russell when the seven-time world champion leaves for Ferrari at the end of the year.

But the local kid's Italian Grand Prix Friday practice debut at Monza lasted only 10 minutes before he lost control and smashed into the barriers, bringing out red flags.

"Zero effect. I think the most important thing is to hire based on ability," Wolff told reporters when asked if the crash would have any bearing on the driver's decision. "An FP1 that's gone wrong is not the reason why you decide for or against a driver."

Mercedes has identified Antonelli as a special talent, potentially capable of being compared to Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Wolff said Antonelli was fine after the crash, which had a force of 45G, and revealed that the teenager felt confident in the car. He is likely to get another practice opportunity at the Mexican Grand Prix in October.

"These moments will happen, and they will continue to happen next year, but there will also be a lot of highlights. We'd rather have a problem with slowing him down than making him faster because what we've seen from one-and-a-half laps is just astonishing," Wolff added.

Wolff also mentioned that Antonelli had apologized after the crash, saying the car "looks a little bit like a Lego box falling on the floor."

Wolff felt the Italian was "just bitten" by the high-speed circuit's new asphalt and tire temperatures. Antonelli had been carrying the heavy burden of making his home debut but would recover from the setback.

Wolff said he had told Antonelli before the session to go out and enjoy the moment: "I told him also to take the pressure off. We live in our micro-bubble here; nobody is interested in FP1 anyway. Whatever happens, happens, and we just get on with things. I told him the same after the session."

"In our industry, we perfectly understand who is capable and who is not. It has been a while since an Italian driver was in a top team, so I am sure this can be a lot for an 18-year-old," Wolff added.

Several sources, including Johnny Herbert, expect Mercedes to confirm Antonelli as their driver for 2025, alongside George Russell, on Saturday at Monza. Wolff's remarks suggest that the Parabolica prang won’t change those plans.