Mercedes F1 Team Principal, Toto Wolff, hailed rookie Kimi Antonelli's drive at the Brazilian Grand Prix, with the rookie successfully defending from four-time world champion Max Verstappen to take second position.

Antonelli seems to be on relatively good form at the moment, with the 19-year old claiming a podium finish in Brazil, beating experienced team-mate George Russell and defending from a charging Verstappen.

Wolff stated: "Being able to fend off Max on a newer and softer tyre, well that was really strong and testament to what's to come.”

The Italian claimed his second podium finish of the season, scoring another podium at the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this year.

However, with Antonelli racing in the junior categories and gaining experience on most of the European circuits, there was some expectation that the Italian may fare better at these circuits. But this has not exactly been the case.

Photo: Race Pictures

Speaking on Antonelli's surprising recent form at circuits he doesn't know, Wolff revealed: “Expectations are maybe lower. Maybe pressure is not as high as some of the Europeans and then the execution was faultless at the end."

Wolff added: "I think it's also managing his own expectations, he's so young, he's just 19 years old, You come to a track where you know you've performed very well in the past, some of the European ones, and then on the back foot."

Antonelli finished ahead of Russell in Brazil, and spent a large majority of the Mexican Grand Prix in front of the Briton as well. Both Mexico and Brazil are circuits that the rookie has never raced on before.

Wolff continued: “You have a sensational team-mate that is as good as it gets, and I think coming to a track that you don't know is almost like less pressure, your expectations are lower, everybody else's expectations are lower, the kind of fan pressure is less than on some of the European tracks, and I think that plays a big role.”

Wolff wants to 'dampen expectations' about Antonelli

However, whilst Antonelli has scored a couple of podiums and has impressed many inside and outside the F1 paddock, Wolff is adamant that he wants to 'dampen expectations' on the rookie.

Wolff revealed: "I always try to dampen the expectations on him. “The Italians talked about the legend Kimi Antonelli after Montreal, after Miami, and that's an additional pressure. So let's keep both feet on the ground. He was second, he fended off Max today, that was very impressive, but we want to win races and fight for championships.”

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