Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli might make an look in Components 1 earlier than he turns 18 after the governing physique, the FIA, modified licence age limits which have been in place since Max Verstappen debuted at 17 in 2015.
Antonelli is tipped to switch Ferrari-bound, seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes on the finish of the season however has additionally been linked to Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams.
The Mercedes-backed Italian is at the moment competing in Components 2 and turns 18 on August 25, ruling him out of the following six race weekends.
There was hypothesis that Mercedes-powered Williams, or Mercedes, need to run Antonelli of their automotive in Friday apply earlier than then at European circuits he’s aware of.
The FIA’s Worldwide Sporting Code beforehand acknowledged that drivers should be no less than 18 and maintain a sound driving licence, a rule launched after now-triple champion Verstappen’s precocious arrival.
The minimal age for a driving licence in Italy is eighteen however that clause was quietly deleted this week within the FIA rules.
A brand new clause now says that “at the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years old”.
Antonelli already has enough factors from junior collection to qualify and has been testing privately with Mercedes in older F1 automobiles, most just lately in Barcelona this month.
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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff mentioned finally week’s Canadian Grand Prix that he needed to focus on Antonelli for the long run, though he has additionally pressured he doesn’t need to rush the Italian.
“We want to reinvent ourselves a little bit going forward and Kimi Antonelli definitely plays a part in that,” mentioned the Austrian.
Components 1 heads again to Europe because the championship strikes on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. Watch each session on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from June 21-23 stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
