Toto Wolff admits first Formula 1 win for Kimi Antonelli came earlier that he thought

Wolff was criticized for fast-tracking Antonelli into F1 after just one season in Formula 2 while skipping Formula 3 altogether, but the Austrian felt vindicated after his protégé took his first-ever pole position in Shanghai on Saturday.

Antonelli followed that up with an impressive win in the Grand Prix, fending off challenges from the Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as from his own teammate, George Russell.

"I think it's maybe come earlier than I thought," an elated Wolff said of Antonelli's first F1 win. "Last year we said that it's going to be a very difficult year with many ups and downs and mistakes.

"Then, bang, second race [of his second season he wins]. He has controlled it in the front; he has driven very well today, so he's probably a little bit better than the trajectory I thought.

"He was actually quite calm and jovial before the race, but then, on the grid, you see the eyes," the Mercedes boss pointed out.

The three F1 drivers who stood on the podium of the Chinese Grand Prix were all affected in one way or another by Wolff. Russell and Antonelli were part of Mercedes' junior driver program while Hamilton built his legacy, winning six F1 Title with Mercedes between 2014 and 2020.

Wolff admitted seeing that podium felt special; he said: "It has been a while since I have been in Formula 1, but that podium now is probably one of the best moments I have ever had.

"The three of them with Bono right in the middle, who has been with Lewis forever and has taken over Kimi and made him into what he is today...

"To be honest, it's rare that I'm overwhelmed, but that's such a moment," Wolff concluded. (Source: Sky Sports F1)