On Friday in Miami, it emerged a request had been submitted to the FIA for the issue of an ‘early’ superlicence to Kimi Antonelli. Current regulations, amended after Red Bull debuted Max Verstappen in the 2016 Spanish GP at the age of just 17, mean drivers cannot benefit from an F1 superlicense until they reach 18. Antonelli has the necessary points to be able to take part in F1 races. However, he does not turn 18 until August 25th. The Federation was, therefore, asked to allow the Italian driver to make his Formula 1 debut before his 18th birthday.
MERCEDES DENIES THE REQUEST, WILLIAMS DOES NOT WANT TO COMMENT
During a test plan agreed with Mercedes, Antonelli tested two cars from the former world champion team in the last month: the 2021 W12 at the Red Bull Ring and then the German brand’s first ground-effect car, the much W13 2022 ‘zeropods’ chat, on the Santerno track in Imola.
While the first test took place in prohibitive conditions, with even snow appearing on the Austrian circuit, the two days of testing in Imola allowed Toto Wolff and his men to understand more about the true potential of the Italian driver on whom the Austrian manager is aiming a lot, even more so after the good results coming out of the Imola test.
When questioned by Formu1a.uno, Mercedes declared that it had not submitted such a request to the FIA. Meanwhile, Williams did not want to comment on the rumours quickly circulating. Still, it seems that it was the Grove team that contacted the governing body control of F1. The Mercedes customer team is believed to be seriously considering Antonelli for a starting place next season in place of Logan Sargeant, who is under absolute pressure to keep his place even in the current one. The American driver scored only one point in his career, but this was enough to convince the team to give him a second chance. The second F1 season has begun along the lines of the previous one.
However, Volwes has nevertheless indicated that there is no intention to replace Sargeant in the immediate future and that “Antonelli will not be in a Williams at Imola.”
Toto Wolff even seemed annoyed by the constant rumours involving the Italian talent. “I believe that a champion like Kimi won’t let himself be distracted. But, what is certain, is that he distracts me because everyone asks me: will Kimi drive at Imola?” said Toto Wolff.
“This won’t happen because Mercedes doesn’t want it. He will not make his F1 debut either in Imola or in the next two months. Kimi needs to focus on Formula 2, and we, as a team, have many other problems to solve.”
These strong statements, however, leave a certain ‘mystery’ regarding the actual request to grant the Super License in advance. Wolff certainly seemed rather surprised about it.
“In recent weeks, there have been rumours which continue to circulate and which are factually incorrect.
“The request is probably something related to these rumours. With more and more people flirting with the idea of seeing Kimi on track at Imola. But we certainly never pushed it on our part,” concluded the Mercedes Team Principal.
THE FIA IS EVALUATING THE REQUEST, A RATHER LONG PROCESS THAT REQUIRES VARIOUS APPROVALS
“We have received this request and are reviewing it. But there is a process to follow, and several steps are needed between multiple people and commissions. Who must vote and accept the rule change,” said a spokesperson for F1’s control body.
In short, the FIA is evaluating the request. Most experts believe it seems rather unlikely there will be an immediate positive outcome. However, it is believed that the outcome will not be negative, as happened in 2022 to IndyCar driver Colton Herta. The American, two years ago, was denied an F1 debut due to his lack of superlicense points.
A super license is also necessary to carry out the classic hours of free practice as a rookie. These include the six FP1 sessions the Ferrari academy driver will do on the Haas VF-24. These runs will start from the next Imola GP. An important opportunity and, according to Komatsu (Haas Team Principal), fundamental to evaluate the English driver.
“Ollie needs more performance in F2. But I would probably give more weight in evaluating him to the work we will do in the six free practices”, explained the Japanese engineer. Is this what Williams would also like to do before the Monza GP in view of 2025?
Williams did not want to comment. But when asked if there is a desire within the Grove team to bring Antonelli on the FW46 already this season, Vowles responded positively. The Williams boss indicated that he is planning for the future. He wants to sign a driver for at least 2025 and 2026, given that Alex Albon is also out of contract next year.
If Kimi Antonelli, as confirmed by Williams itself, is one of the candidates being considered for 2025. Mercedes will need to give the OK and sign Sainz, who has an offer from the Anglo-German team. However, he also has strong interest from Red Bull.
This will leave Antonelli with a year or, as Williams would prefer, two years to settle into F1. This would be a similar timetable to George Russell’s between 2019 and 2021.
