Martin Brundle against Toto Wolff vision for F1 drivers after Kimi Antonelli success

Martin Brundle has cautioned against Toto Wolff's claim that F1 should be full of nice, positive people like new champion Kimi Antonelli.

The long-time commentator and former grand prix racer made it clear that he thinks that the young Italian is a great personality for the sport – hugely personable and a genuine person' – but warned that the sport as a whole still needs some edge to it.

Wolff said after his Mercedes driver wrapped up the 2026 title in Mexico: "This notion of win at all costs, selfish, opportunistic, ruth­less for your own benefit, that model of racing driver has died. We have a new champion that represents values: humility, integrity, loyalty, respect. Being himself. He should be a role model for many other young drivers."

Putting aside Wolff almost directly quoting John Cena's personal motto, Brundle warned that the sport does still benefit from some ruthless characters, and drivers who are willing to push the limits in pursuit of victory.

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F1 legend: What you see with Antonelli is what you get

He also pointed out that Antonelli is likely to change at least a little as he ages – having only turned 20 years old this summer – but conceded that some of the on-track aggression he's shown against team-mate George Russell this season is a good sign for the future.

Asked on Sky Sports News how important it is to be liked in F1, Brundle replied: “Well, it's better than not liking you, isn't it?”

He continued: “I don't think it's imperative, but I think it's lovely. I was walking through a tunnel in Hungary and heard this voice behind me saying, ‘Hey Martin', and I thought it was a fan or someone looking for a picture or whatever, and it was Kimi because he wanted to have a chat and he loves to chat about these things.

“Now, whether he can stay like that, I doubt it'll stay exactly like that. But I think, and I say this with all the young drivers on the grid, what you see is what you get; they're great and fine young men and they're polite, but when on the racetrack, they turn into different animals.

“But I think he is hugely personable and a genuine person. So absolutely what you see is what you get with him."

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“But you want to see an edge as well. I saw a quote from Toto today saying, ‘this is the new breed of Formula 1 driver, this is how every Formula 1 driver should operate’, and I'm not quite in that school of thinking if I’m honest.

“I want some edginess between Hamilton and Verstappen or whoever. The fact that they're all on WhatsApp groups and play padel together already troubles me a little bit, without them all being absolutely loving of each other and courteous and respectful. I think you want a bit of edge in your in your racers.

“But, when we saw Antonelli and Russell side by side in Canada several times, no quarter asked and none given whatsoever, and so I think we’re good to go.”

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