A change to the Worldwide Sporting Code may see Italian hot-shot Kimi Antonelli make his F1 debut earlier than his 18th birthday.
Considered in competition for the second seat at Mercedes, the teenager can also be identified to be in demand at Williams, with discuss of him changing Logan Sargeant on the Dutch Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, underneath 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 wish to rush Antonelli into F1, Williams have been pushing the FIA to amend the principles for a while and the Grove outfit seems to have been profitable.
Whereas the rule beforehand learn: “The motive force should be not less than 18 years previous at the beginning 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 constantly demonstrated excellent capacity and maturity in single-seater method automotive competitors could also be granted a brilliant licence on the age of 17 years previous”, whereas additionally eradicating the demand that the motive force in query “be the holder of a legitimate driving licence when he applies for a brilliant licence for the primary time.”
The earlier rule was launched in 2015, when Toro Rosso signed a sure 17 12 months previous 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 assist to him becoming a member of them on the F1 grid.
