The name of Andrea Kimi Antonelli is certainly one of the most interesting in the panorama of young promises. After winning championships in various preparatory categories, the young Italian talent moved directly to F2 under the wing of Mercedes, skipping F3. An arrival perhaps premature, but which allows Antonelli to prepare as quickly as possible for a possible promotion to F1. A promotion which, according to the latest rumors from the paddock, could have even arrived in the next round of the season, in Imola. According to what was reported by various newspapers, and confirmed by the FIA, Williams has in fact presented a request to the FIA to exempt Antonelli, still a minor, and without the requirements to race in F1. Despite this, both the Williams team principal, James Vowles and Toto Wolff, for Mercedes, have ruled out the possibility of seeing Kimi Antonelli at Imola, much less in the other events of the season.
Antonelli in F1? Wolff and Vowles curb their enthusiasm
The market is very busy this year. Mercedes and Haas have a free seat, and there are still several drivers with their contracts expiring. Antonelli could be a valid alternative, especially for Williams who are still undecided on Logan Sargeant. Mercedes, however, wants to be careful with Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who had the opportunity to drive the Mercedes W12 and W13 for tests.
The German team knows that the transition to F2 is already delicate in itself. The plan is to develop the young talent and then put him behind the wheel of a Mercedes. Hamilton's farewell, although unexpected, will not affect the path of Kimi, who still has a long season ahead of him with F2.
“I don't know where this belief that Mercedes wanted to go further comes from. Kimi needs to focus on his F2 season and he knows it” Toto Wolff cuts short, speaking to Motorsport.com. “Everything else is just rumors, which continue to circulate and which are in fact incorrect. He's an F2 driver for Prema, that's what he's doing, and that's what we're all focusing on. Just 15 months ago he was in an F4 car."
“We believe a lot in Kimi, in his abilities and also in his future. But there is a path that we must follow with commitment, rather than trying to dream of jumping from series to series in a way that is definitely not advantageous for him. He won't be coming to F1 in the next few weeks or months."
Williams team principal James Vowles is also of the same opinion and denied the rumors about a possible debut at Imola. Furthermore Vowles has made it clear that he is looking for a driver for Williams who will agree to sign a biennial. “There was a rumor going around that he would be in the car from Imola. He won't be in the car in Imola, Vowles told Formula 1's official channel, F1 TV. We are currently evaluating the drivers for 2025 and 2026. We want the right pairing for those two years, because when you change the regulations you don't want to also change the driver.
There is no doubt that [Antonelli] has great ability, but 20 months ago he was in an F4 car, so it's a very different candidacy to that of many others. At the moment we have spoken to four or five riders. I have the duty and responsibility to make this car faster, because Alex [Albon] is a top-class driver. We have to give him the right car and we haven't done that yet. This will then open up other possibilities for us in the future."
Source statements: Motorsport.com e FormulaPassion
