Mercedes have been looking for an answer to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for a long time. Verstappen came into F1 skipping Formula 2 and going straight to Formula for Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso, in 2015 his first race with Red Bull he became the youngest winner in Formula One in Spain at 18 years, seven months, and 15 days. The FIA has cleared the way for young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli. who will turn 18 in August. Could Antonelli be Mercedes’s answer to Max Verstappen?
FIA Changes Rule For Super License
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The FIA which is the sanctioning body for Formula One tweaked a rule that would allow Anonelli to run the first free practice of a Formula One event this year before his 18th birthday. The FIA added to its rulebook Article 13.1.2 Appendix L now states:
At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years old
When it was announced that seven time champion Lewis Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, Antonelli quickly became the one of the favorites to replace the living legend. Hamilton had high praise for the tennager telling ESPN:
Honestly, I have no idea what Toto’s plans are, but for me, taking on a youngster. if it was my job, if it was my role, I would probably take on Kimi.
Mercedes has invested a lot into Antonelli, he also has enough super license points to qualify for Formula One from his Formula four championships. With the rule change the rumors have already started swirling that he will replace the lone American driver Logan Sargent in the second Williams car.
Replacing Logan Sargent
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The rumor mill was already running wild that once Antonelli turned 18 he would replace Sargent. With the rule change, it could accelerate the process. Mercedes was not the team applying for Antonelli’s Super License but Williams is the rumored team attempting to push him through.
Williams gets their engines from Mercedes and Williams has helped develop drivers in the past for the Silver Arrows like Valtteri Bottas and George Russell. We could see Antonelli make his Formula One debut as soon as Silverstone in July as opposed to the Dutch Grand Prix in August giving Antonelli an extra three races most notably gaining valuable experience at legendary tracks like Silverstone and Spa.
Will Mercedes Take The Chance
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Mercedes has yet to really take a chance like this in their short but storied history. In 2010 they came into Formula One with seven time champion Michael Schumacher and then when he retired (again) they replaced him with Lewis Hamilton who already had a world championship under his belt.
Mercedes left nothing to chance Bringing in Ross Brawn to be the Team Principal and then Toto Wolff along with Formula One Legend Niki Lauda as an advisor and Mentor to Nico Rosberg. Once Rosberg retired they brought in Bottas who has shown consistency in the Willams.
Should Mercedes bring in Antonioli in 2025 this would be the biggest chance they have taken from a driver’s standpoint since their return in 2010. It looks like they will take the chance as Carlos Sainz is rumored to sign with Audi who is set to come into Formula One in 2026.
Formula One’s Bias Against Americans
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Since the rule change was announced many fans have taken to social media to point out the FIA’s treatment of Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward, and Indycar. Herta was attempting to get into Formula One in 2019 but was denied a Super License. O’Ward was cut from Red Bull after winning the Indy Lights Championship but McLaren jumped on him and made him a reserve driver however, passed on him and went outside the Academy in favor of Australian Phenom Oscar Piastri.
Many fans raise the questions of why changing the rule for Antonelli and not for Herta. On top of that many would argue Sargent at Williams has been set up for failure after being forced to miss a race after Albon wrecked his car damaging the suspension and Williams pushing Sargent out for Albon in the lone WIlliams car left in Australia. Not to mention the threat of Andretti trying to come into the sport.
The bottom line is the FIA changed the rule for Antonelli but wouldn’t budge for talented young Indycar drivers. Formula One is more giving to drivers who go through the feeder series of Formula 2, 3, 4. In this particular case, it isn’t biased against Americans but in other areas, there is definitely a case to be had that there is bias, but not here. Formula One has been consistent if you go through the more traditional route to Formula One you will be catered to more than a less conventional route whether it’s right or wrong that is for others to decide.
About The Author
Dillon Hildreth is a writer for Total Apex and a lifelong fan of Football with his favorite teams being the New England Patriots and the Georgia Bulldogs. Dillon is also a fan of Motorsports Red Bull in Formula One and William Byron in NASCAR. You can catch Dillon Stream F1, NASCAR, and other video games and side casts on Twitch.
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