Andrea Kimi Antonelli will not step up to Formula 1 immediately after the FIA changed its rules to allow drivers younger than 18 to compete.
All 10 F1 teams have confirmed unchanged driver line-ups for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The Mercedes junior driver had been tipped for an early move into F1 after the FIA relaxed its rules for issuing superlicences last week. He was previously ineligible to race in F1 until he turns 18 in late August.
However the FIA made changes to the International Sporting Code allowing it to grant dispensations for 17-year-old drivers whom it considers suitable to enter the series. It also removed the requirement for drivers to hold road car licences, which Antonelli cannot qualify for in Italy until he turns 18.
While no team has indicated it was behind the request to the FIA to allow Antonelli to compete, he is under consideration by Mercedes for promotion to the seat Lewis Hamilton will vacate at the end of the season. He has been tipped to take up a place at one of their customer teams before then.
Williams is considered the likeliest target as their driver Logan Sargeant has largely failed to impress since making his debut in the series last year. Sargeant has only scored once in his first 31 events and has never out-qualified his team mate in a grand prix qualifying session. He was benched at the Australian Grand Prix after Alexander Albon crashed in practice, leaving the team with only a single intact chassis.
However Williams has confirmed Albon and Sargeant will be its drivers again this weekend. The next round of the championship in Austria is a sprint event, meaning Antonelli would only have a single hour of practice before qualifying if he makes his debut there.
Antonelli made his debut in F2 this year after winning the Formula Regional European and Middle East championships last season. His Prema team mate Oliver Bearman will participate in this weekend’s grand prix, as he is due to take over Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas for the first practice session.
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2024 Spanish Grand Prix
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