A change to the International Sporting Code could see Italian hot-shot Kimi Antonelli make his F1 debut before his 18th birthday.

Thought to be in contention for the second seat at Mercedes, the youngster is also known to be in demand at Williams, with talk of him replacing Logan Sargeant at the Dutch Grand Prix.

However, under the current rules a driver cannot be issued the required superlicence until he is 18, and Antonelli's 18th birthday is on the day of the Zandvoort race.

While Toto Wolff insists that he doesn't want to rush Antonelli into F1, Williams have been pushing the FIA to amend the rules for some time and the Grove outfit appears to have been successful.

Whereas the rule previously read: "The driver must be at least 18 years old at the start of the event of his first F1 competition", it has now been changed to read: "At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a super licence at the age of 17 years old", while also removing the demand that the driver in question "be the holder of a valid driving licence when he applies for a super licence for the first time."

The previous rule was introduced in 2015, when Toro Rosso signed a certain 17 year old by the name of Max Verstappen, much to the annoyance of the FIA.

Despite the governing body's best efforts, Verstappen was granted his superlicence and, as if to rub the FIA's noses in it, picked up a couple of awards at the gala at season end.

Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have both praised Antonelli, and given their support to him joining them on the F1 grid.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 19/06/2024 0:31

"@ Chester...disappointingly, there has been a deafening silence from the Andretti camp. I expected a concerted push for acceptance via 'whatever it takes' including an anti competetive challenge up to and including a legal fight. Nothing seems to happening at all ATM. Surely this can't be right? Andretti have already invested some millions into personnel and infrastructure and it certainly seems strange to hear virtually zip as to where this is all headed. The FIA cleared the team and that should have been the end of the story but someone, somewhere applied massive pressure and bin Salman crumpled like a wet lettuce leaf. A SNAFU of the first order."

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2. Posted by Chester, 18/06/2024 11:15

"Yes, bend the rules for Antonelli- and block Andretti. Insular as insular can be."

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3. Posted by kenji, 16/06/2024 23:54

"I fully agree Max. Let's see what all the hype is as in the YTD F2 results I haven't seen anything that warrants the media hoopla. "

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 16/06/2024 9:52

"Put him on the grid. Let’s see what happens. "

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5. Posted by Burton, 14/06/2024 18:11

"Some kid deserves an exception, but someone who comes 3rd in Indycar racing people with the pedigree of Scott Dixon, Newgarden and Power doesn't...right..."

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Change to regulations 'green lights' Antonelli

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