“After which he went by way of the components collection, profitable within the rookie years and that’s very particular.
“Kimi has all he wants, the power and the pace, and he has been a part of the workforce a very long time, he has examined so much.
“We count on nice issues, however not from the start. It’s clear we have to give him time and see how he develops.”
Antonelli mentioned his promotion was “an incredible feeling” and the fulfilment of “a dream I’ve had since I used to be a really small boy”.
The Italian has been ready for F1 this 12 months by Mercedes with an in depth testing programme in former vehicles, which can proceed for the remainder of the 12 months.
Wolff mentioned he anticipated Antonelli to make loads of errors as he learns the ropes in F1 subsequent season.
“In all probability we are going to see some excellent races and highlights within the first season,” he added. “However on the opposite aspect we will even see some entrance wings that can be lacking after Flip One and possibly one or the opposite issues within the race that do not run so nicely.
“F1 is an advanced automotive, plenty of switches, and that is one thing that you must adapt to.”
And Wolff mentioned that it might be a tricky ask for Antonelli to be anticipated to have the ability to arrive on the identical efficiency degree in his first season as Russell, who he described as “one of many best possible drivers on the planet”.
“Measuring himself in opposition to George we do not imagine it’s attainable to be anyplace close to that degree,” added Wolff.
“And on the opposite aspect, we acknowledge, and likewise George does, that there’s a younger driver with a variety of skill and that’s our hope to have two drivers who’re actually robust.”
Hamilton has lengthy backed Antonelli as the motive force Mercedes ought to select to interchange him following his determination to maneuver to Ferrari subsequent season.
The seven-time champion mentioned on the Italian Grand Prix on Thursday that the Bologna-born teenager was “a kind of super-talent children that come by way of”, including he had “a shiny future forward of him”.
