Wolff admits Ferrari will try to sign Antonelli

Toto Wolff has admitted Ferrari will almost certainly try to lure Kimi Antonelli away from Mercedes, as the Italian youngster continued his impressive run of form with pole position at Spa.

Championship leader Antonelli’s performances are increasingly making him one of Italy’s biggest sports stars, despite driving for Mercedes rather than Ferrari.

"We’re aware," Wolff told RTBF when asked if Ferrari’s interest concerns him.

"But Kimi has been a Mercedes driver since he was 11. Ferrari should have done the job six or seven years ago, instead of realising now that they have a good Italian driver.

"Of course, they’ll do everything to get an Italian driver."

The Mercedes boss said Antonelli’s rise is the result of years of investment. "It takes time to analyse the youth market," he said.

"It starts as early as mini-karting with ten-year-olds. You don’t just have to find them, you also have to develop their personality and their technical development, but also their character.

"We are very proud to have Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, two Mercedes products."

Wolff also admitted even Mercedes has been surprised by Antonelli’s speed.

"We always believed in him," he said. "But you can never be sure it will work out.

"He went nine races without scoring any points last year. People criticised us for taking on an inexperienced driver. They said we had made a mistake.

"We didn’t expect him to be this strong this season. But we had seen his talent before."

However, Antonelli’s remarkable pace has also highlighted an unresolved problem on George Russell’s side of the garage.

Russell admitted he is currently unable to fight his teammate on equal terms.

"We had the same problem at Silverstone," said the 28-year-old, "so I hope we’ll find a solution by the next round in Hungary."

Wolff confirmed Mercedes still cannot explain the deficit.

"I don’t think it’s the new regulations," he told DAZN.

"I think there are losses in the corners where George needs to work, but he also loses two and a half tenths on the straights, and we’re trying to analyse it.

"Is it all because of the engine, or is there something else? And the truth is, we haven’t reached any conclusion.

"It’s so complex with the power units that we can’t pinpoint exactly where the deficit is coming from."

Russell insists the issue is no longer related to his driving style.

"We thought it was down to driving style and the car, but we finally concluded that wasn’t the case. If this continues, I can’t fight to win.

"A fair fight with my teammate is tough, and right now it’s not a fair fight. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just how things have turned out, and we’re working to find a solution."