Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an Italian driver from Prema Racing, competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship in Melbourne, Australia, on March 22, 2024.
Mercedes denied any involvement in a request made to the FIA for an exemption for Andrea Kimi Antonelli from the minimum age rules of Formula 1. Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, has been open about the possibility of Antonelli replacing Lewis Hamilton in 2025, but it has now been revealed that the request to the FIA, believed to be from Williams, could allow the Italian driver to obtain a Super License before turning 18. If successful, Antonelli could race in F1 from the next race in Imola, fueling speculation that he may take Logan Sargeant’s place. However, Wolff clarified in an interview with Autosport that Mercedes did not initiate the request to the FIA and has no plans to accelerate Antonelli’s debut in F1. He emphasized that Antonelli should focus on his F2 campaign and dismissed rumors about his possible promotion to F1.
Wolff stated: “The exemption was not proposed by us, and we consistently stated that it was not something we were pursuing. I’m not sure where this belief that Mercedes was eager to move forward with this comes from. Kimi needs to focus on his F2 campaign, and he is aware of that. Everything else is just unfounded rumors that continue to circulate.” He further emphasized that Antonelli is currently an F2 driver for Prema Racing, and that is the team’s main focus.
Mercedes has decided to promote Antonelli directly from the European Formula Regional Championship to F2 for the 2024 season, skipping the intermediate step. Although Antonelli has reached the 40 points necessary to obtain a Super License through his success in the feeder series, Wolff is cautious about putting too much pressure on the young driver. He acknowledged that just 15 months ago, Antonelli was competing in an F4 car and emphasized the importance of following a diligent path rather than advancing quickly through the series. Wolff stated: “We have great confidence in Kimi, his skills, and his future. But we need to be careful and not dream of jumping from series to series in a way that is not beneficial to him. A true champion will not be distracted by any of this. However, I must admit that these rumors are distracting me because everyone keeps asking me about Kimi and his potential debut in Imola. That’s not going to happen. It’s not something Mercedes wants. These rumors have taken on a life of their own. Let’s focus on Formula 2. As a team, we have many other issues to address.”
Antonelli has been balancing his debut season in Formula 2 with tests in Formula 1, starting with the 2021 Mercedes car in Austria and then moving on to the 2022 W13 in Imola. Wolff, the head of the Mercedes team, confirmed that they are pleased with Antonelli’s progress in both categories and there is no urgency to announce their second driver alongside George Russell for the 2025 season.
Regarding Antonelli’s double campaign so far, Wolff stated: “It’s going as expected. There are good days and bad days. There are some issues that need to be resolved between the drivers and the team, but that’s not surprising. The tests are going well and we are approaching it calmly and composed. That was our plan from the beginning of the season – a strong campaign in F2 and tests for Mercedes. We will continue to follow this plan. Anything else would only serve as a distraction for all of us.”
“We are extremely pleased with George. He will continue to be a driver in our team. As for the rest of the driver market, we will observe how things unfold. However, any decisions regarding this will not be made in the next few weeks or months.”
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton achieved another victory at the Monza Grand Prix last Sunday. With an impressive performance, Hamilton overtook his competitors and crossed the finish line in first place. This was his fifth consecutive win of the season, solidifying his position as championship leader.
The race in Monza was full of excitement and twists. From the start, Hamilton showed his determination and skill, overtaking his rivals and taking the lead. Even under pressure from other drivers, he managed to stay ahead and secure the victory.
With this result, Hamilton extends his lead in the driver’s championship. He is now 30 points ahead of the second-placed driver, putting him in a comfortable position for the upcoming races. Furthermore, his team, Mercedes, also leads the constructors’ championship.
Hamilton is considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1. With seven world titles and countless victories, he has already made his mark in the sport. His skill, dedication, and passion for racing make him a formidable competitor.
The next stage of the championship will be the Singapore Grand Prix, which promises to be another exciting challenge for Hamilton and the other drivers. It will be interesting to see how he will perform in this race and if he can maintain his winning streak.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton continues to dominate Formula 1 and has secured another victory at the Monza Grand Prix. His impressive performance puts him as the championship leader and increases his chances of winning another world title. The next challenge will be in Singapore, where he will have to show all his skill and determination to secure another victory.
