This will not happen, Wolff says about the speculation surrounding Antonelli’s debut in Imola – F1sport.cz

Yesterday, there were speculations again that Antonelli will make his F1 debut this year. He would replace Sargeant from Imola. It would make sense in theory – Mercedes could test him, gain experience and be able to drive alongside Russell from next year. From a practical point of view, it makes less sense – Antonelli has many successes to his credit, but still little experience.

A super license is required to start in F1. To obtain it, the driver must fulfill several conditions and issues – today Antonelli already has the necessary points for winning two F4 series and two regional formulas. But he is not of the required age (and not even a driver’s license). He will be 18 at the end of August. According to the current rules, he could debut in F1 first in Monza.

There was speculation that the FIA ​​had received an exemption request, which the federation confirmed to feederseries.net. “We have received this request and are looking into it, but a process needs to be followed and more people/committees need to vote and agree to it as it would require a rule change,” the FIA ​​said.

Wolff denies Antonelli’s debut

But it is rather unlikely that the FIA ​​would grant an exemption. It can be imagined more in the case of lack of points and “external circumstances” – for example, in a situation where a rider would lack points and prove that he could not participate in several races due to illness / injury. He could argue with other results in the series or even with a test in an F1 car.

Antonelli tested two Mercedes cars. At the Red Bull Ring the one from 2021 and at Imola the newer one from 2022. It is possible that we will see it in the first practice this year.

Toto Wolff, however, refused to pressure Mercedes to do anything and asked the FIA ​​for an exception.

“We didn’t come with a request for an exemption, and we certainly said from the beginning that it wasn’t something we were aiming for,” Wolff told Autosport.

“I don’t know where the belief that Mercedes wanted to push this thing came from. Kimi has to focus on his season in F2 and he knows it.”

“Everything else is just rumors that keep spreading and are factually incorrect. He is an F2 driver for Prema. That’s what he does and that’s what we’re all focused on.”

“Just 15 months ago he was sitting in an F4 car. We have great confidence in Kimi, his abilities and also his future. But there’s a trajectory that we have to watch carefully and not try to dream of jumping from series to series in a way that’s definitely not beneficial to him.”

“I think the champion won’t be distracted by anything like that. But it certainly distracts me, at least, because everyone is asking me: ‘What about Kimi and racing at Imola?’ This is not going to happen.” This is not something Mercedes wants. These rumors have taken on a life of their own… let’s focus on Formula 2. We as a team have a lot of other problems to solve.”

Wolff made it clear that Mercedes had never expressed an interest in Antonelli’s rapid entry into F1 and suggested that a third party was behind the request. According to Wolff, “more and more people were flirting with the idea. But it’s certainly not something we would ever push for on our end.”

Williams also denied it

Jamew Vowles also denied that Antonelli was driving for his team at Imola. As for next year, said v https://twitter.com/lawrobarretto/status/1786499847563944197, that he is dealing with four or five riders – but he is in no rush to make a decision. He says any deal would be for two years – for 2025 and 2026.”