That's the way the rookie crumbles

WE'VE MADE KIMI CRACK SAYS TOTO

- by DANIEL MOXON

TOTO WOLFF admits Mercedes have put floundering rookie Kimi Antonelli under “maximum pressure”.

But Wolff insists his belief in the struggling teenager's potential has not been knocked by his difficult start to life in Fl.

Italian Antonelli, 19, crashed in his first practice run at Monza last year but still inherited Lewis Hamilton’s seat after the seven-time champion left for Ferrari.

He finished fourth in an impressive debut and took his first Fl podium in June at the Canadian Grand Prix.

But that was one of just two top-10 finishes in his last eight outings while Antonelli has been beaten by teammate George Russell in all 14 Grands Prix so far.

Antonelli said he has lost all confidence behind the wheel and that showed yesterday as he beached his car in the first hour of practice at Zandvoort.