Martin Brundle tips Mercedes ‘love-in’ to end when Kimi Antonelli asks Toto Wolff for a pay rise

Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle expects potential friction at Mercedes when new world champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli approaches team principal Toto Wolff for a pay raise. The 20-year-old Italian secured the 2026 Drivers' Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the youngest title winner in Formula 1 history after claiming nine victories across the opening 19 rounds of the season.

Antonelli currently earns a reported £10m annually on a contract running through 2029. Brundle suggests negotiations could become tense compared to rivals like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, predicting Wolff will point out the substantial development costs Mercedes invested in Antonelli before granting an increased salary.