Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes that all Formula 1 drivers should try to be like new world champion Kimi Antonelli.

Wolff said after Antonelli’s coronation at the Mexico City Grand Prix that the 20-year-old proved that ‘good people’ can still win titles in the sport.

“This notion of win at all costs, [being] selfish, opportunistic, ruthless for your own benefit, that model of racing driver has died,” Wolff explained, via ESPN.

“We have a new champion that represents values like humility, integrity, loyalty, respect. That should be a role model for many other young drivers in junior formulas and should be a role model for the few entitled ones in Formula 1 – the endless moaners on the radio, the ones that complain, the ones that crash.

“[…] That is modern Formula 1. Kimi represents the modern Formula 1 driver because of those values. The talent is there with everyone. But you’ve got to be a good person too. He has demonstrated that you can beat everyone out there by being a good person.”

Martin Brundle disagrees with Toto Wolff calling Kimi Antonelli the ‘model’ F1 driver

While Martin Brundle admires Antonelli’s character, he’s uncomfortable with today’s F1 drivers being so friendly off the track.

He believes that F1 needs intense rivalries, pointing to the famous example of 2021 title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Antonelli showed ‘edge’ when battling Mercedes teammate George Russell for victory at the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this year before Russell’s race-ending power unit failure.

But there have been few glimpses of that steeliness, perhaps because he has won the title in such a comfortable fashion.

“He’s hugely personable and a genuine person,” Brundle told Sky Sports. “Absolutely, what you see is what you get with him.

“You want to see an edge as well. I saw a quote from Toto saying, ‘This is the new breed of Formula 1 driver, this is how every Formula 1 driver should operate.’

“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!

“They’re being absolutely loving of each other and courteous and respectful. I think you want a bit of edge in your racers.

“Thinking about that, when we saw Antonelli and Russell side-by-side in Canada several times, [there was] no quarter asked, and none given, whatsoever. I think we’re good to go. I’m happy enough with it.”