Wolff Reveals Two Sponsors Left Mercedes Over Antonelli Decision

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that two sponsors decided to leave the team after he promoted Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 race seat in 2025. The decision drew doubt at the time, but it has now paid off with the world championship title Antonelli won in his second F1 season.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Wolff said the commercial partners had questioned Antonelli's capacity. "There were two sponsors that left us because of that decision. They asked: 'Who is this kid?'" Wolff said. Nevertheless, he stressed that the team remained confident and that the other sponsors who stayed are now reaping the rewards.

Wolff's confidence was rooted in data and Antonelli's track record in the junior categories. Since Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari before the 2024 season, Wolff said he had already earmarked Antonelli as the successor. "When Lewis stood at the door of my office that morning, it was all clear. Once he confirmed he was going to Ferrari, I knew Kimi would be in the car," he said.

Wolff did not name the two sponsors. However, circulating reports link the departure of Tommy Hilfiger and Puma at the end of 2024 to that decision. Mercedes then brought in Adidas as a replacement, while negotiations with Gillette came to nothing and the brand chose Audi.

Doubt did not come only from sponsors. Media and observers questioned Antonelli's readiness, especially after an inconsistent run in Formula 2 in 2024. Wolff said he was not bothered. "I only took a calculated risk. The team always backed this decision, as did Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius. The doubt only came from outside," he said.

"2025 was exactly the season I expected. This project was planned for two years, and the second year had to confirm what we saw in him. Today we have received that confirmation," Wolff said.

Wolff also recalled Antonelli's difficult spells, including a run of nine races without points and an emotional moment at Spa. According to him, that was precisely when the team's belief was tested, but there was not the slightest doubt. He judged Antonelli's success to be the fruit of hard work by the entire team that kept supporting the young driver.

For Mercedes, this bold decision affected not only on-track performance but also the team's commercial value. Losing sponsors was a blow, but the world championship title Antonelli won could restore Mercedes' appeal in the eyes of global partners. The story is a lesson on the importance of long-term vision in talent development, especially in a competition as fierce as Formula 1.

Going forward, the public will wait to see whether Mercedes can sustain its momentum with Antonelli, or whether it will face new challenges with the 2026 technical regulations. What is clear is that Wolff's courage has produced tangible results, while reaffirming that investing in young drivers often pays off.