P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli could be set for his F1 weekend debut in a Mercedes practice session.
According to Italian media reports, Mercedes is set to give F2 protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli his first practice run in a contemporary F1 car during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. This opportunity is part of the new rules introduced in 2022, requiring each team to field a rookie driver with limited Grand Prix experience for two FP1 sessions annually to help them gain valuable experience. Mercedes previously used Nyck de Vries and Frederik Vesti for this role in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Antonelli is in line for his F1 debut at his home GP where he will substitute for Lewis Hamilton. Although Antonelli has been considered a potential replacement for Hamilton at Ferrari, no official confirmation has been made by the team yet. To qualify for an FIA super licence, drivers must meet specific criteria, including age requirements and points. Antonelli, who will be 18 on the Sunday of the Dutch GP, faces a crucial moment this weekend in meeting these licensing regulations. In a separate development, a request to adjust FIA super licence rules for 17-year-olds, not directly related to Antonelli, was made earlier this year.
