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Andrea Antonelli, 18 -year -old Formula 1 pilot
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli spent the driving exam at the age of 18, just six weeks before making her debut in Formula 1 in the Australian Grand Prix, replacing Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes is proud of the conquest of its bet to the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place on March 16. In a post on social networks, the German brand replaced the publication of Andrea Antonelli’s X in which he writes “mission accomplished.”
The text comes accompanied by a photo of the 18 -year -old Italian in a car: he passed the driving exam.
But in fact, the young man was already training before he was less of age, in Formula 1 cars. How is that possible? The law was amended. Specifically because of him.
Super Licence ✅
Driving Licence ✅Congratulations Kimi 👏
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1)
So far, the pilots had to have a valid driving license of the country of their nationality (and being of age) to qualify for a super license, which allows them to compete in F1, explains.
However, the regulation was amended last year due to Mercedes’ efforts to authorize that Antonelli participated in training sessions From F1 before its 18th birthday, on August 25, 2024. Since then, the teenager has done several thousand kilometers of testing.
“The president of the FIA (International Automobile Federation) has always had the ability and discretion of letting a driver lead, if he believed his performance was good enough,” this summer argued the CEO of Mercedes F1 Team, Toto Wolff.
“I think the change in regulations is not about Antonelli, but with the need to ensure that Pilots with Pedigree, Curricula, Success and Maturity can run in F1 instead of a date of birth. I think it was the right decision, ”he concluded.
Now, the young man will make a pair with George Russell to replace the 7 times champion of the world Lewis Hamiltonwhich moved to Ferrari.
