07 May 2024 , 12:49
1051
0
Mercedes wonderkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to have a showdown with Mick Schumacher in a testing session at Silverstone next week.
The 17-year-old has been winning many supporters during his fledging career and currently races in F2. He sits ninth in the championship in what is his first year in the junior category and has so far scored four points finishes.
His performances have caught the eye of several F1 team bosses though, with major changes expected on the grid for next season. The FIA have already recieved a request to allow the young Italian to make his F1 debut before his 18th birthday in August.
Current rules dictate that drivers are not eligible for a superlicence until they turn 18. But Antonelli has the required points to qualify for the licence, which allows a driver to take part in F1 races.
When approached by Mirror Sport, Mercedes said they have not made the request to the FIA. Williams is understood to be keen on fielding Antonelli, with their current No.2 driver Logan Sargeant under pressure to keep hold of his seat.
David Coulthard fires warning at Red Bull and Mercedes over Ferrari 2023 chances
While the FIA assesses that application, Mercedes are lining him up to face off with Schumacher in a test. According to AutoMotorSport, the duo will drive the Silver Arrows' 2022 car next week in Silverstone.
Antonelli will use the test to get aclimatised to the current generation of F1 cars, with Schumacher being used as a benchmark. Both drivers have hopes of earning a place on the F1 grid next season.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes? Comment below.
Antonelli has emerged as a top prospect despite being just 17-years-old (Getty Images)Lewis Hamilton's seat at Mercedes remains free ahead of the Brit's move to Ferrari, with the Silver Arrows pursuing a move for Max Verstappen. If such a move does not come off, Antonelli and Schumacher could become options.
As it stands though, Schumacher is pushing to be given a seat at Alpine, while Antonelli is being lined up for a place at Williams. Despite the speculation over the wonderkid's future, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has urged Antonelli to focus on his F2 season.
“The dispensation was something that wasn’t brought up by us and we have certainly stated from the beginning that that was not something we have pursued. I don’t know where this belief comes from that Mercedes was keen on pushing that forward," he said.
"Kimi needs to concentrate on his F2 campaign and he knows that. Everything else is just rumours, which continue to spin around and that are factually incorrect. He’s an F2 driver for Prema, that is what he’s doing, and this is what we’re all concentrating on.
“I think that this dispensation is probably something that got some traction because more and more people flirted with the idea. But it’s certainly nothing that we have ever pushed from our side.”