Kimi Antonelli compared to Jannik Sinner amid ‘Italian public’ spotlight

"There are so many requests for his [Antonelli’s] time. It's on us to keep the handbrake on that. We just really need to stay calm here because such success for such a young man at this stage, all of Italy will be on him.

"Sinner and Antonelli, Antonelli and Sinner. We have won three grands prix, Sinner is world number one and has won many grand slams."

In an amusing moment, Antonelli’s father Marco was gathered amid the media conference in the Hard Rock Stadium and was spoken to directly by Wolff.

Toto Wolff has urged Antonelli to stay 'grounded' (Getty)

Wolff said: "The risk is that he is being carried away too quickly. The parents will keep him grounded, right Marco?" Antonelli Snr. replied: “Right!”

Wolff added: "The family and us - you're the first one actually Marco to calm him down even when he is winning - we need to keep repeating the message.

"This is the long game. He has a killer of a teammate that is extremely fast. We want to play the long game, he can hopefully win many championships over 10 years, 15 years, we don't want to stumble now with these huge expectations on him."

Russell now trails Antonelli by 20 points heading into the next race in Canada on 24 May – the same day the French Open at Roland Garros begins for favourite Sinner, who can complete the career Grand Slam in Carlos Alcaraz’s absence.