Toto Wolff dismisses immediate Formula 1 plans for Kimi Antonelli, emphasizing a gradual development path over rushing the young driver into the high pressures of the premier motorsport series.
Toto Wolff has decided to quash rumors that his 17-year-old protégé, Kimi Antonelli, would be immediately catapulted into Formula 1.
The young Italian is clearly a contender to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year—and he will get a third test in an older F1 car next week, when he joins Mercedes F1’s regular reserve driver, Mick Schumacher, at Silverstone.
It was confirmed this weekend in Miami that Williams had asked the FIA to grant Antonelli a super license before his 18th birthday in August. This sparked rumors that Logan Sargeant could be immediately sidelined before the upcoming Grand Prix at Imola.
Vowles has ruled out any quick move on this matter, and Wolff confirms.
“We do not want to burn out Kimi.”
“Formula 1 for him at Imola would be too soon.”
Wolff also denied that Mercedes pressured Williams and was behind the request for a special super license exemption for Antonelli.
“We did not initiate this request, that’s all I can say. I don’t know where this belief that we are interested in advancing the process in this way comes from.”
“Kimi needs to focus on Formula 2, and he knows it.”
“Everything else is just rumors.”
Wolff Dismisses F1 Rumours for Antonelli. Wolff Dismisses F1 Rumours for Antonelli
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