Mercedes was left without a driver for 2025 after Lewis Hamilton decided to join Ferrari. Team Principal Toto Wolff is rumored to be interested in 17-year-old prodigy Kimi Antonelli. However, rumors had surfaced that the Silver Arrows might want the Italian driver to make his debut this season with a smaller team. Now, Wolff has dismissed rumors of submitting a request for Antonelli’s Super License to the FIA.
Currently, the minimum age requirement for an F1 Super License is 18. It was reported that Mercedes has tried to get an exemption from the FIA. Rumors surfaced that Kimi Antonelli could replace Logan Sargeant at Williams this season. However, Toto Wolff affirmed that the Silver Arrows have not approached the sports governing body for such a decision.
We didn't make any approach to the FIA about getting an earlier release. Toto Wolff said, as reported by RacingNews365
Moreover, the Mercedes team boss claimed that Antonelli must concentrate on his F2 campaign this season and not be distracted by such stories. Toto Wolff further mentioned that the decision over the team’s vacant seat was at least weeks if not months away.
So many stories were created, and it doesn't do him any favors because he needs to concentrate on his F2 campaign. He's doing lots of testing for us to bring him up to speed and I think this decision of the second driver is weeks if not months away. Toto Wolff asserted
George Russell claims Kimi Antonelli doing a ‘good job’ in Mercedes tests
Kimi Antonelli has tested old Mercedes F1 machinery in private tests arranged by the team. George Russell claimed that he has been informed that the Italian driver has been doing a decent job so far. Although, the British driver highlighted that it was difficult to get a reference point when a driver was testing alone on-track.
I've heard he's been doing a good job. Obviously, when you're driving alone, it's always difficult to get a reference. George Russell said, as reported by RacingNews365
Additionally, Russell mentioned that the purpose of the tests was for Kimi Antonelli to gain experience. George Russell went as far as claiming that the Italian would be a Mercedes driver one day. However, the Briton did not mention if it would happen next year or in the coming years.
And for him, it's just about gaining the necessary experience. There's no doubt he's going to be a Mercedes driver at some point in the future. Is that next year? Is it in years to come? Time will tell. George Russell stated
Kimi Antonelli has high expectations to fulfill this season. Many believe that the 17-year-old will be the right fit for Mercedes next season. However, the Italian driver must first prove his worth in F2 and the private tests for the Silver Arrows before he is given the chance to make his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport.
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