During Netflix's filming for the seventh season of Drive To Survive in Imola, Toto Wolff and Kimi Antonelli experienced a critical moment when Wolff was involved in an accident, from which he fortunately escaped unharmed.
Netflix superproduction “Drive To Survive” brought Formula 1 into the spotlight, making it accessible to a new audience interested in behind-the-scenes stories and events off the track. Cameras and microphones are constantly in action in the paddock, as demonstrated in previous seasons, also recording the daily moments of the drivers and team principals. However, in this scene, the protagonist is not Guenther Steiner, but the head of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, who was involved in an accident during the filming of Netflix.
In the recent sixth season, the narrative focused on the complex situation the manager was facing, with the risk of not renewing a two-year contract with Lewis Hamilton due to disappointing performances. Wolff is already preparing the material for the next 2024 season and after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix he went to Imola together with Kimi Antonelli.
Both got behind the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT3, but the session was more positive for Antonelli, a possible candidate to replace Hamilton from 2025, as Wolff went into the wall after just two laps. “My driving skills are not at their best right now”, Wolff admitted to OE24. “During testing in Imola, I encountered a problem with the traction control and hit the wall after just two laps.”
The accident occurred at the exit of the Rivazza curve, but fortunately the team principal escaped unharmed. Together with Antonelli, Wolff managed to complete a few laps after a short break necessary to repair the car.
A clue about Antonelli's possible arrival at Mercedes?
In addition to Wolff's accident, the fact that Netflix has decided to dedicate a moment of the next season to the CEO of Mercedes together with Kimi Antonelli raises the hypothesis that the Austrian manager is seriously considering the young Italian driver as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton.
Another path for Antonelli could be to follow in the footsteps of George Russell, first moving to Williams to adapt to the top category before going to a top team, although James Vowles, Team Principal of the Grove team, may not be completely sure I agree with this choice.
Antonelli, winner of the Formula Regional championship in 2023, has always been followed by Wolff. His excellent results allowed him to skip F3 and debut directly in F2 this year.
