
Helmut Marko spoke about Toto Wolff’s eye for talent and revealed that the Mercedes boss’s own son is a brilliant driver in the making.
Toto Wolff has managed to find an excellent driver to replace one of the greatest of all time in Lewis Hamilton last year.
While some might have been sceptical about his readiness, Kimi Antonelli has proven to be a star in the making for Mercedes. But could Wolff’s own son be a future F1 driver?
Speaking in an interview with Austrian outlet OE24, former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was asked about Kimi Antonelli’s rise this season.
He praised Antonelli for improving as a driver, and even mentioned that Toto Wolff’s son, Jack, is proving to be a sensation in karting and could be a strong driver in the future.
Interviewer: “What do you say about Kimi Antonelli? Did you underestimate him last year when you essentially said that Red Bull would be better off with young driver Hadjar?”
Marko: “I saw immediately that Antonelli is incredibly fast. It was just inconsistent. That’s changed this year. Now I even think he could compete for the World Championship.”
Interviewer: “That speaks volumes about Toto Wolff’s instincts…”
Marko: “Yes, and Toto Wolff has another ace up his sleeve. His son (Jack, 9) is a real speed demon in karting, much like Johan, Gerhard Berger’s son. I’m in constant contact with Gerhard by phone.”
As mentioned before, many were concerned about Mercedes replacing the outgoing Lewis Hamilton, one of the best drivers of all time, with a teenager.
And while he had his struggles in the first season, Antonelli’s second season has proven to be the proof of concept for Wolff’s vision.
With two race wins and three podiums this season, Antonelli has become the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history.
In fact, there are many who believe Antonelli has a genuine shot at competing for the world championship this season. And with his start to the year, it’s hard to argue against that possibility.
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