Kimi Antonelli could make a sensational jump from Formula 2 to F1 during the 2024 season. That’s after Williams made a special request to the FIA.
Technically, Antonelli isn’t eligible for a superlicence until his 18th birthday at the end of August. But journalist Joe Saward hinted that they could apply for an exemption, and they have now done so.
The Mercedes junior driver is only three rounds into his F2 career and has made a steady start. Partnering Ferrari academy starlet Oliver Bearman, he’s ninth in the championship as it stands.
Antonelli would be replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams if the request is granted. It’s unclear at this stage when they hope to have him the car.
Reports suggest that the 17-year-old is the favourite to succeed the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. A trial period at Williams could be the perfect audition for Toto Wolff.
However, team principal and former Mercedes strategist James Vowles may not accept such a short-term stay. George Russell previously spent three years at Grove before replacing Valtteri Bottas.
The one thing that convinced Williams Kimi Antonelli was ready
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), F1TV present and journalist Will Buxton relayed the news of Williams’ request. The team have since denied that they intend to have him in the car for the next race at Imola.
The Italian driver caught their eye with a ‘stunning’ performance in a test session for Mercedes at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix circuit. And that may have prompted them to push the button.
Vowles warned Sargeant in the winter that he would need to be the ‘surprise of the season’ to keep his drive. The team had kept faith with the young American after he only scored one of the team’s 28 points in his rookie year.
But Sargeant has failed to show any clear improvement this term, trailing Albon 4-0 in qualifying and 3-1 in races. In a damning reflection of his standing at Williams, Vowles benched him for the Australian Grand Prix when Albon broke one of the team’s two available chassis.
What did Kimi Antonelli do in Mercedes F1 test?
Mercedes have been putting Antonelli through his paces in a private testing programme in recent weeks. Wolff wants to see if he’s ready for a drive with the Silver Arrows in 2025.
He got his first taste of an F1 car at the Red Bull Ring in Austria last month, driving the constructors’-championship-winning W12 from 2021. Things didn’t go entirely to plan, though, as adverse weather limited running.
There were no such issues this week as Antonelli took on the trickier W13 at Imola. While it’s always difficult to compare lap times in different track conditions, his efforts on day one stacked up well against Hamilton.
On the second day, the teenager ‘surprised’ everyone in attendance with his pace on a lower-fuel medium-tyre run. He also got to grips with some of the technical procedures behind the wheel.
Barring one minor off on the first day, it seemed to be a perfect test. Mercedes were hugely impressed that he seemed to absorb information like a ‘sponge’ despite his lack of experience.
Given Sargeant’s ongoing struggles and Antonelli’s evident comfort in F1 machinery, a seat at Williams could be beneficial for all parties. But both Mercedes and the FIA will have to give the green light.
The post 'As I understand it': Will Buxton says Williams made Kimi Antonelli request to FIA after one 'stunning' feat appeared first on F1 Oversteer.