Join us behind the scenes of Formula 1: our reporters were present at every Grand Prix in 2025, including Australia. We write about our experiences not only online, but also in our magazine. Part 1 of 24: Frank Woestenburg on flirting in Melbourne.
It’s Thursday morning when the Mercedes team organizes a breakfast for the international media in a fancy restaurant on the beach of St. Kilda, a popular district in Melbourne. The weather (cloudy) is not cooperating, but it doesn’t dampen the spirits. The breakfast, at least, leaves nothing to be desired.
Toto
Following this, Toto Wolff and his three drivers – George Russell, rookie Kimi Antonelli, and reserve driver Valtteri Bottas – share their thoughts on the upcoming season. They mostly state the obvious. Russell is ready to lead the team, Antonelli feels the team’s confidence in him, and Bottas is willing to serve as a mentor to the young Italian.
Toto Wolff provides the most amusing comment, with his promise that he will not flirt outside the team this season. “Because you don’t do that in a good relationship.” In other words, he is focusing on his current line-up and leaving Max Verstappen alone.
On Saturday, Antonelli falls short in Q1 of the Australian qualification, but a day later he finishes a more than respectable fifth. A fluke? Who can say. I am secretly curious if and when Max Verstappen will receive a message from Toto again this season…
