MONZA, Italy -- Kimi Antonelli has gone from a rookie "like deer in the headlights" to a continuously self-improving "AI agent," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said after the 20-year-old's stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli took a giant step towards his first career championship with an astonishing drive from 19th to first on Sunday, moving himself 66 points clear of teammate George Russell in the process.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Antonelli, who endured a topsy-turvy rookie season in 2025 after replacing Lewis Hamilton aged 18.
Last year, Russell out-scored Antonelli by 169 points: Sunday was Antonelli's seventh win of the current season, while Russell has scored just two by comparison.
When asked what has been key to the change in Antonelli one year to the next, Wolff said: "To be honest, I don't know. Last year was according to plan. I've said there are going to be moments of brilliance, difficult moments.
"I think he started the [rookie] season at a time when he found himself like a deer in the headlights. In his zone, in the car, extraordinary performances already, but not continuous.
"Then he had this negative spell where he made over nine races without scoring points. I remember Spa was terrible for him and he was feeling down. Monza was the point where I for the first time said to him, listen, you've got to wake up here. But never doubting. That's why we gave him the opportunity.
"And then he came out after the winter, out of the blocks in a way that no one saw coming. The ability, how he processed last year. He's been at all the races. He's seen the pressure of the media, the attention that he gets. It's in a way that the system has been processed and saved. And that's why the results that we've seen afterwards. But it is still surprising and amazing to see how quickly he develops.
"For me it's like an AI agent that continuously self-improves and learns. That's the speed. And there also his age is for sure beneficial. The ability cognitively, intellectually to constantly become better."
- Kimi Antonelli comes from 19th on the grid to win sensational home Italian Grand Prix
- Ferrari's vintage disaster-class paves way for Antonelli to win Italian GP
- Lewis Hamilton urges Ferrari to introduce 'rules of engagement,' loses more points in title fight
The Italian started from the back of the grid with a new engine Mercedes fitted to his car and used it to carve through the field, making the final pass on Russell three laps from the end after a race-long battle with his teammate.
Wolff admitted after the race that, despite the low starting position, he still had a feeling his prodigious young talent might wake up and "walk on water" on race day.
He continued to explain the traits that have defined Antonelli's season and said he's already seen the hallmarks of the greats in the youngster.
On whether Antonelli is already the complete package at 20, Wolff said: "In my mind, what is the perfect driver? I don't know.
"A dozen of components that in a way, if I could design the perfect driver, would be essential in order to have sustained high performance levels. When you talk about the complete driver, the aspect of experience is still missing. That needs to come. There is also this easiness of a young man that helps to overcome difficult moments. That also helps in managing not getting ahead of himself when having these glorious moments.
"There is the fact of is he capable of maturing, of staying the personality that he is, humble, with a lot of introspection, self-criticism, in order to develop. Only the future is going to show whether he is like a few drivers before him, the complete deal."
