People really be out here acting like it was Kimi Antonelli who seduced Toto into doing all this shit for him, but like...I truly believe Toto Wolff doesn't actually give a flying fuck about Kimi or even think he's that special. Not really.
See, I think it's clear that Toto's obsession with Kimi is about proving that he himself is a genius with a magical eye for talent. It's about proving that Toto was right all along for all the decisions he's made.
It's about Toto trying to make up for failing to recognize Max Verstappen's talent way back when and missing out on the driver of a generation and trying to undo that mistake 15+ years later.
Kimi is the chance to hit back at Horner and others. That's literally all he is.
Just look at the radio message after Kimi's first win:
"He's too young. We shouldn't put him in a Mercedes. Put him in a smaller team. He needs the experience. Look at the mistakes he makes.' Here we go, Kimi. Victory."
There's relief there, like this is validating everything Toto has been hoping for. The message isn't even about Kimi. Toto doesn't mention his drive, or anything about the race, or his skills, or congratulate him on a move or decision, nothing. Regardless of how you feel about how Kimi drove in that race, it's still strange that Wolff says nothing at all about it.
It's Kimi's first race win and Toto's message is only about how right he was. That says a lot.
And then, there's the press conference quotes from after that race:
"When things go bad, there are people who come out and say, 'That was a bad decision,' and 'Mercedes took too much risk.' And it was never really harsh criticism because people recognise the talent that he has..."
"But there were many voices within the sport and outside that said, 'That was a mistake to do.' So it's nice to have a little revanche."
It's very interesting that he focused so much on countering the perception that himself and Mercedes made a mistake and doesn't actually say anything of substance. Or anything about Kimi at all, actually.
And I would say that's because none of this is actually about Kimi.
And in another interview:
"Kimi has been a Mercedes driver since he was 11. Ferrari should have done the job six or seven years ago, instead of realizing now that they have a good Italian driver. Of course, they'll do everything to get an Italian driver."
Translation: I am right, I am a genius, I saw him before everyone else, look at how amazing I am.
And then there's the nonsense about Kimi being more educated than other drivers and all the incessant talk about how young he is (because that was the thing about Max). Toto can't do anything about the fact that Kimi is older than Max was when he first won, sure, but he can go for youngest WDC.
And all of that together means that, if Kimi isn't absolutely amazing - not just good, or decent, but completely incredible - after all the limbs Toto's gone out on for him...then everyone will know he made a mistake. Again. And he cannot have that.
And thus, the trash-talking of George. The delayed upgrades. The straight-up sabatoge. The fact that even Damon Hill thinks Mercedes is fucking with George's car.
Because Kimi has to be amazing. Not for himself, or because Toto cares about him, but so that Toto can be a genius with the ability to see the future.
Kimi is just a vessel for Toto's pride and validation, nothing more.
And that's honestly pretty fucked up.
