Mercedes Credit
James Vowles, the Williams Team Principal, has dismissed rumors that Andrea Kimi Antonelli could make his Formula 1 debut with the team in Imola. Speculation arose when it was revealed that a request was made to the FIA asking for an exception for Antonelli to compete in F1 before turning 18 in August. Although Antonelli has the necessary 40 points for an FIA Super License, his current age violates F1 regulations. Antonelli, who is competing in his first season in Formula 2, has already tested F1 cars for Mercedes in Austria and Imola. According to RACER, the request to the FIA was not made by Mercedes, but by Vowles, possibly indicating a desire to replace underperforming driver Logan Sargeant. Currently, Antonelli would be eligible to race in F1 from the Italian Grand Prix in September, but a waiver of the minimum age requirement could accelerate his debut. However, Vowles, who previously worked at Mercedes, denied rumors that Sargeant will be replaced in Miami. Vowles stated that Williams is evaluating drivers for the 2025 and 2026 seasons and is looking for the right driver pairing for the upcoming regulatory changes. The FIA acknowledged the exception request but stated that the stakeholders’ vote must be respected in this matter. Antonelli has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Mercedes seat that will be left by Lewis Hamilton when he moves to Ferrari next season.
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