Kimi Antonelli wrapped up the F1 world championship at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the sport's youngest ever champion in just his second season. He finished on the podium behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli after the race, saying he represents a new breed of driver. "This notion of win at all costs, selfish, opportunistic, ruthless for your own benefit. That model of racing driver has died," Wolff told the media. "We have a new champion that represents values - humility, integrity, loyalty, respect."
Wolff said Antonelli should be a role model for junior drivers and for what he called "the few entitled ones in Formula 1 - the endless moaners on the radio, the ones that complain, the ones that crash." He added that talent alone is not enough. "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 told Sky Sports the title is just the start. "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." He said he was glad to silence critics who doubted him after a difficult rookie campaign last year. "It's always good to shut off some of the noise," he said.