Way clear for Kimi Antonelli?

Lex Antonelli instead of Lex Verstappen: FIA allows exceptions for Formula 1 driving licenses. Super license now available for talented young drivers under 18.

Rebecca Bauer14.06.2024, 15:30

Rebecca Bauer

Formula 1 Department

28 years old, born in Styria. F1 fan since childhood. A weakness for caffeine, cake, traditional race tracks and epic national anthems.MORE

Mercedes Junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli at his first F1 test in Spielberg

The path to the premier class is now theoretically clear for Antonelli, Photo: Mercedes-AMG F1

According to rumors, Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli is already the chosen successor to Lewis Hamilton. The next super talent of Formula 1 already has the necessary 40 super license points. The last obstacle so far has been the age of the Silver Arrow protégé: the Italian will not come of age until August 25th. Until now – in the latest edition of the sporting regulations, the age limit for the super license has been dropped.

FIA can give young superstars permission to compete in Formula 1

“A driver who has demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in recent times may be granted a Super Licence even at the age of 17,” according to Article 13.1.2 in Appendix L of the International Sporting Code. However, this is only at the sole discretion of the FIA.

Kimi Antonelli may soon be wearing a Mercedes overall?, Photo: Mercedes-AMG F1

In addition, super license candidates no longer need a valid driver’s license. Good for Kimi Antonelli, as in Italy you also have to be of legal age to do so. This means that the Mercedes junior could celebrate his Formula 1 debut before Sunday in Zandvoort (on his 18th birthday).

At the beginning of May it was announced that a request had been received by the FIA. The issue was an exemption for Antonelli from the super license age. It is unclear who exactly granted the exemption, but rumors say it was from Williams. Formula 1 has Max Verstappen to thank for the age limit, by the way. He was 17 years and 166 days old when he made his much-criticized debut in the Toro Rosso in 2015.

Formula 1 Super License explained: Who gets the F1 driver’s license? (11:36 min.)

Kimi Antonelli already in Barcelona in the Mercedes?

After Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli is now considered the next super talent in the premier class. The Italian skipped Formula 3 after winning his Formula Regional title last year and will drive his first season for PREMA in Formula 2 in 2024. There he is in sixth place overall.

In addition to his F2 commitment, Antonelli is driving an extensive test program for Mercedes. The Italian has already sat in Spielberg, Imola, Silverstone (although not in the shootout against Mick Schumacher and George Russell, as Mercedes emphasized in a statement) and most recently Barcelona in old Formula 1 cars. At the next FP1 in Spain, thanks to the rule change, he could now sit in the current W15 and complete rookie training on a race weekend.

Such training would be the logical next step in preparing for a full-time cockpit in 2025. In addition to Mercedes, Williams could also be a port of call for the current Formula 2 driver. After Logan Sargeant’s continued poor performances, possibly as early as this season. In addition to Antonelli, Carlos Sainz is being discussed for a Williams cockpit. You can find out everything about it here.