FIA rule change all but confirms Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 Mercedes seat

Kimi Antonelli can now get the F1 Super license at the age of 17 following FIA's decision to add a provision for the same.

FIA rule change all but confirms Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 Mercedes seat

Kimi Antonelli and Toto Wolff (images via IMAGO)

Mercedes was left without a driver after Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari for 2025. The Silver Arrows had multiple options on the grid including Carlos Sainz. However, 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli soon became the prominent choice.

Antonelli is a Mercedes prodigy who made his F2 debut this season. The Italian driver reportedly impressed the Silver Arrows in his private F1 tests with the team. However, FIA’s Super license rules prohibited any driver below 18 from competing in an F1 session. This clause was added after Max Verstappen made his F1 debut at the age of 17 with Toro Rosso.

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Previously, Toto Wolff had hinted that Kimi Antonelli was the first option for Mercedes’ future. As the Italian driver would be the ideal teammate to George Russell. Russell would switch to the role of team leader and provide guidance to his younger teammate. Now, despite no confirmation from Brackley, FIA’s rule change all but confirms Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 Mercedes seat.

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Mercedes’ rumored request to FIA might be true afterall

A couple of weeks ago, it was rumored that Mercedes requested the FIA to grant Kimi Antonelli a super license at the age of 17. Toto Wolff quickly dismissed these rumors. However, it seems that the reports were indeed true following FIA’s decision.

Andres Kimi Antonelli
Andres Kimi Antonelli (Via: Imago)

The 18-year age limit has been put in place for almost a decade. The sports governing body would have had no reason to add a provision if it had not received a serious request from Mercedes. Moreover, Wolff had recently ruled Carlos Sainz out of contention to replace Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

Ultimately, this left Kimi Antonelli as the only driver who could race for Mercedes. It is clear that Toto Wolff has put a lot of faith in the Italian driver. The 17-year-old is currently sixth in the Formula 2 standings with 48 points.

Certainly, Kimi Antonelli seems to have managed to convince Toto Wolff to get a chance at the pinnacle of motorsport. The Italian driver had already amassed enough points to qualify for the super license. Now, it remains to be seen when Mercedes finally announces Antonelli as its driver for the upcoming F1 season.

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