Toto Wolff says 'good person' Kimi Antonelli should be a role model for 'entitled' Formula 1 drivers ahead of Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli should be a role model for both upcoming drivers and some of his “entitled” Formula 1 rivals.

The 20-year-old Italian become the sport's youngest ever world champion as he wrapped up the title with four rounds to spare at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix.

Antonelli has not only produced a historic campaign in just his second season in F1, but has also charmed his Mercedes colleagues, rivals, and fans with his charm and youthful exuberance.

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At the end of his briefing with the written media in Mexico following the race, Wolff gave an unpromoted impassioned speech praising Antonelli.

"This notion of win at all costs, selfish, opportunistic, ruthless for your own benefit. That model of racing driver has died," Wolff said.

"We have a new champion that represents values - humility, integrity, loyalty, respect. Being himself. He should be a role model for many other young drivers in junior formulas.

"He should be a role model for the few entitled ones in Formula 1 - the endless moaners on the radio, the ones that complain, the ones that crash.

"Look at this kid of 20 years [old] and then think what you can do in order to improve. That's the message to these kids.

"That is how the FIA, that Mohammed [Ben Sulayem], that Stefano [Domenicali], that's how I would want to see racing drivers in the future.

"That is modern Formula 1. Kimi represents the modern Formula 1 driver because of those values, not only because of his talent.

"The talent is there with everyone. But you have got to be a good person too. He has demonstrated that you can beat everyone out there by being a good person."

Antonelli: This is just the beginning

Antonelli only needed to finish in the top nine in Mexico to seal the title, but produced a strong drive to finish on the podium behind race winner Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton shares the record for the most F1 titles on seven, while Verstappen has four, and after the race Antonelli appeared to already be thinking about joining them as multiple world champions.

Antonelli told Sky Sports F1: "This is just the beginning. This win is just going to mark a new beginning, a new point to build on to keep improving and to keep trying to win championships.

"Obviously it's been incredible to share the podium with Max and Lewis and hopefully there will be many more battles with them in the future."

Antonelli failed to meet expectations at times during his rookie campaign last season, with a poor run of results during the European summer leading many to question Mercedes' decision to fast-track him into one of the sport's most desirable seats after Hamilton's switch to Ferrari.

The Italian admitted he has enjoyed silencing his critics with his remarkable jump forward this season.

"It's always good to shut off some of the noise. Of course, I think in many ways it does help to add fuel to the fire, the fact that some people said that I wasn't belonging to Formula 1 or I wasn't ready for it, which, at some point last year, probably looked like that I wasn't ready for it," said Antonelli.

"But I think last year, being able to experience those moments made me much more ready as well ahead of this year. I think experiencing really low and difficult situations, high-pressure moments, really helped me to face certain situations this year, and definitely they made me mature a lot as a driver and as a person.

"And still this year, I've had moments where I could have done better, a lot better. So, yeah, it's just a constant learning process.

"But I think last year, being able to race straight into Mercedes, obviously straight under the spotlight, made me grow much, much faster than if I would have gone to a smaller team, for example."

Sky Sports F1's live Sao Paulo GP Schedule

Thursday November 5
5pm: Drivers' Press Conference
8pm: Paddock Uncut

Friday November 6
3pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 3.30pm)*
5.30pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference
6.45pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 7pm)
8.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday November 7
2.15pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 2.30pm)*
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday November 8
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX*
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo City GP reaction
8pm: Ted's Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 next heads to Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW

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