Overview

• Toto Wolff says Antonelli’s dip reflects an inconsistent car rather than a lack of talent and frames 2025 as a learning year for the sport’s youngest top-team driver.
• Mercedes introduced a revised rear suspension from Imola that worsened the W16’s handling, with Wolff later calling the upgrades “utterly wrong” before the team removed them.
• The team reverted to the earlier suspension spec at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Antonelli finished 10th as Mercedes seeks stability and confidence.
• George Russell argues Antonelli’s underlying pace is close to his despite poor headlines, citing gaps of six tenths in Canada (P4) and three tenths at Spa that swung results by several sessions.
• Antonelli says he is still learning the car’s qualifying limit, noting how easy it is to overstep on the first lap as he rebuilds confidence with the W16.