Toto Wolff has quashed speculations surrounding the immediate entry of his 17-year-old protege, Kimi Antonelli, into Formula 1. While Antonelli appears to be a strong contender for potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season, Wolff emphasized the importance of not rushing his progression.
Despite Antonelli receiving a third test opportunity in an older F1 car alongside Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher at Silverstone, Wolff stressed that Formula 1 would be too premature for him, citing the upcoming test at Imola as too early a stage for Antonelli.
In the midst of discussions about Antonelli’s potential F1 debut, it was revealed during the Miami weekend that a team, likely Williams, had applied to the FIA for Antonelli to obtain a super license before his 18th birthday in August.
This development sparked rumors that Williams’ Logan Sargeant might be sidelined to accommodate Antonelli in the upcoming Imola Grand Prix. However, Wolff promptly dismissed these rumors, stating that they did not intend to expedite Antonelli’s entry into Formula 1, emphasizing the need for him to focus on Formula 2 for the time being.
Contrary to speculation, Wolff clarified that Mercedes did not instigate the request for a special super license dispensation for Antonelli. He refuted any notion that Mercedes is actively pushing for an accelerated process to fast-track Antonelli’s entry into Formula 1.
According to Wolff, Antonelli is aware that his primary focus should remain on excelling in Formula 2, suggesting that any talk of his immediate transition to F1 is merely fueled by rumors.
Toto Wolff’s statements aim to dispel rumors surrounding Kimi Antonelli’s potential fast-track entry into Formula 1. Despite Antonelli’s promising talent and the interest surrounding his future in the sport, Wolff stresses the importance of a measured approach to his development, emphasizing the need for him to concentrate on Formula 2 before considering a move to F1.
