A change to the Worldwide Sporting Code might see Italian hot-shot Kimi Antonelli make his F1 debut earlier than his 18th birthday.
Regarded as in rivalry for the second seat at Mercedes, the teenager can also be recognized to be in demand at Williams, with speak of him changing Logan Sargeant on the Dutch Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, below the present guidelines a driver can’t be issued the required superlicence till he’s 18, and Antonelli’s 18th birthday is on the day of the Zandvoort race.
Whereas Toto Wolff insists that he does not need to rush Antonelli into F1, Williams have been pushing the FIA to amend the foundations for a while and the Grove outfit seems to have been profitable.
Whereas the rule beforehand learn: “The motive force have to be at the very least 18 years outdated at first of the occasion of his first F1 competitors”, it has now been modified to learn: “On the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have just lately and persistently demonstrated excellent skill and maturity in single-seater method automobile competitors could also be granted an excellent licence on the age of 17 years outdated”, whereas additionally eradicating the demand that the driving force in query “be the holder of a sound driving licence when he applies for an excellent licence for the primary time.”
The earlier rule was launched in 2015, when Toro Rosso signed a sure 17 12 months outdated by the identify of Max Verstappen, a lot to the annoyance of the FIA.
Regardless of the governing physique’s greatest efforts, Verstappen was granted his superlicence and, as if to rub the FIA’s noses in it, picked up a few awards on the gala at season finish.
Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have each praised Antonelli, and given their help to him becoming a member of them on the F1 grid.
