Hypothesis about Antonelli being fast-tracked into an F1 seat this yr has ramped up within the wake of the Mercedes junior being given further days in testing a 2021 automotive to get him in control in grand prix equipment.
Moreover, it has emerged over the Miami GP weekend {that a} request has been lodged with the FIA for Antonelli to be granted an F1 superlicence, regardless of him not being the minimal 18 years previous till August.
It’s unclear which group this request has come from, and whether or not or not it’s for only a observe licence or a full race seat.
There have been recommendations that Williams is trying to consider Antonelli with a view to doubtlessly changing Sargeant if the American doesn’t flip round his disappointing begin to the marketing campaign.
Talking in Miami on Friday, Williams group principal James Vowles performed down speak that he was pushing arduous for Antonelli however did admit that Sargeant wanted to up his sport.
“I do know nothing about what is going on on with the Mercedes exams proper now,” stated Vowles.
“We’re wanting, as everybody else is, for the place we need to be on the driving force line-up for subsequent yr. And we now have our personal younger driver programme.
“Within the case of Kimi. I am unable to actually adjudicate on the degree he is at. In case of him coming into the automotive this yr, I’ve at all times stated from the start, it is a meritocracy.
“Logan has to earn his seat and in the mean time, he has some powerful targets the place he has to get a lot nearer to Alex. However there’s nothing on the radar in the mean time for changing him.”
James Matthews, CEO of Eden Rock, James Vowles, Crew Principal, Williams Racing
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
Any transfer to get superlicence approval for Antonelli would require assist from the FIA’s numerous security commissions.
Requested in regards to the software for an exemption for under-age Antonelli, an FIA spokesman stated: “We’ve obtained this request, and we’re wanting into it. However there is a course of to be adopted and a number of individuals/commissions required to vote and comply with it because it requires a rule change.”
Whereas an Antonelli step into F1 could be thrilling, Vowles stated his greatest headache in the mean time was not the efficiency of its drivers, however getting extra out of its automotive.
“We’ve far greater issues to unravel than drivers in the mean time,” he defined.
“Alex has performed championship degree drives and, in the mean time, he is not scoring factors. Basically, we now have it on us to enhance our automotive going ahead. That is my main concern greater than the rest.
“What we do with drivers going into 2025/26, plenty of us listed here are simply checking out the place we’ll be for subsequent yr essentially. And of that, there are alternatives on the desk, however it’s far too early to inform.
“Within the sense of Kimi, it’s important to bear in mind it is simply 20 months in the past that he was in an F4 automotive. That is a big, massive step up into an F1 automotive in such a brief house of time.”
Logan Sargeant, Williams FW46
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
For now, Vowles stated his job was to do every part he may to assist assist Sargeant in his process of getting faster.
“On the finish of the yr [2023], he got here near Alex, which I would like him to do. However that development needed to proceed. He needed to be on the level the place he is not sitting a tenth behind him, however fairly difficult him and outqualifying him and outracing him essentially. We’re nonetheless on that journey.”
He added: “However as I stated during, it’s a meritocracy: earn your home now, and he is obtained extra work to do.
“However he is additionally one of many high 20 F1 drivers on the planet on the grid and there is a purpose for that. Right here in Miami and his residence grand prix, I am placing him on my shoulders and supporting him as a result of that is what we ought to be doing at this level. He is within the automotive. He’ll stay within the automotive and my job right here is supporting him.”
