P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has hinted that he is against a premature Formula 1 debut for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, despite a dispensation request coming from Williams. It emerged during the Miami Grand Prix weekend that Williams had lodged a submission to the FIA to grant Antonelli an exemption from F1’s minimum age regulation. As it […]
During the Miami Grand Prix weekend, it was revealed that Williams had submitted a request to the FIA for Antonelli to be exempt from the minimum age regulation in Formula 1. Antonelli currently meets the requirements for an FIA Super License with 40 points, but is not eligible to obtain one until he turns 18 on August 25. There is a possibility for the FIA panel to override the ruling under certain circumstances, potentially allowing Antonelli to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams. However, Toto Wolff clarified that the request to the FIA did not originate from Mercedes, as they aim to avoid rushing Antonelli’s progression to Formula 1 due to his ongoing Formula 2 commitments and the need for more testing. As a Mercedes protege, Antonelli has been testing in past Mercedes F1 cars and is considered a candidate for a drive with the team in 2025. Williams currently has Alex Albon secured through 2025, but Sargeant’s performance struggles suggest Antonelli could be a future consideration for the team. Williams’ Team Principal denied rumors of Antonelli racing at Imola but mentioned ongoing evaluations for the future driver lineup in 2025 and beyond, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right pairing for the upcoming regulation changes.
