Mercedes has said it is not behind the dispensation request made to the FIA over granting Andrea Kimi Antonelli an exemption from Formula 1’s minimum age rules.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been open that Antonelli, who is competing in his debut season in Formula 2, could replace the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
But it materialised on Friday that a request to the FIA, thought to be from Williams, has been made that could grant the Italian a Super License prior to him turning 18.
A successful application would permit Antonelli to race in F1 from the next race at Imola, heightening reports that he is being lined up to take Logan Sargeant’s place.
However, speaking with Autosport, Wolff has clarified that the approach to the FIA did not come from Mercedes and it has no plans to accelerate Antonelli’s F1 debut.
“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,” he said.
“I don’t know where this belief comes from that Mercedes was keen on pushing that forward. 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.”
He added: “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.”
Mercedes opted to promote Antonelli straight from the Formula Regional European Championship to F2 for 2024, skipping the third step on the ladder in the process.
While his success in the feeder series means he has the requisite 40 points to receive a Super License, Wolff is cautious about putting too much pressure on Antonelli.
“Just 15 months ago, he was in an F4 car,” he acknowledged. “We have great belief in Kimi, his abilities and also his future.
“But there is a trajectory which we need to follow with diligence, rather than trying to dream about jumping from series to series in a way that is certainly not beneficial for him.
“I think a champion is not going to be distracted by any of this. But certainly, at least it distracts me because everybody’s asking me: ‘What about Kimi and driving in Imola?
“This is not going to happen. This is not something that Mercedes wants. These rumours have gotten their own spin. Let’s do Formula 2. We as a team have lots of other issues to resolve.”
Antonelli has been combining his maiden Formula 2 season with F1 testing outings, starting with the Mercedes 2021 car in Austria and since the 2022 W13 at Imola.
Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes is satisfied with Antonelli’s progress on both fronts and is in no rush to announce who will drive alongside George Russell in 2025.
Regarding the Mercedes protege’s duel campaign to date, Wolff said: “It’s completely on the trajectory that we expected.
“There are easier days, there are harder days. I think between the two drivers and the team, they need to sort out a few issues, but it’s not unexpected.
“And the testing goes very well and we are just approaching it calm and collected.
“That is what we have planned before the season, a solid F2 campaign and testing for Mercedes, and we will continue to just do this. Everything else is just a distraction for all of us.
“We are super happy with George. He’s going to continue to be a driver in this team. And everything else we see panning out on the driver market.
“It’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or a couple of months.”
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