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Antonelli is being evaluated by Mercedes as an option to replace Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton for 2025, combining a Formula 2 campaign at Prema with private testing in the Brackley team’s previous F1 cars.
But in recent days the 17-year-old Mercedes protégé has also been mentioned as an option to replace Williams’ Logan Sargeant this year if the Grove-based team decides to change drivers.
The idea gained momentum on Friday after it emerged that the FIA had received a waiver request, apparently from Williams, to grant the young Italian the superlicense required to compete in F1 before he reached the Minimum age of 18 years.
Antonelli will not turn 18 until the end of August, fueling speculation that he was preparing for his F1 debut before the summer break.
But speaking to Autosport, Wolff ruled out the idea completely, saying Mercedes were not interested in changing their initial plans for the youngster.
“We didn’t talk about the waiver and we certainly stated from the beginning that it wasn’t something we pursued,” Wolff said.
“I don’t know where this belief came from that Mercedes was keen to move forward with this project. Kimi needs to concentrate on his F2 campaign and he knows that.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli drives a Mercedes W12
“Everything else is just rumours, which continue to circulate and are factually incorrect. He’s an F2 driver for Prema, that’s what he does, and that’s what we’re all focused on. “
Wolff stressed that Mercedes would be careful not to burn out Antonelli by promoting him too early, given his rapid rise in the junior series and lack of experience.
“Just 15 months ago he was in an F4,” he said. “We have great confidence in Kimi, in his abilities and also in his future.
“But there is a trajectory that we need to follow diligently, rather than trying to dream of jumping from series to series in a way that is certainly not beneficial to it.
“I think a champion won’t be distracted by all that. But certainly, at least it distracts me because everyone asks me: ‘What about Kimi and driving at Imola?’
“It’s not going to happen. It’s not something Mercedes wants. These rumors have taken their own turn. Let’s do Formula 2. As a team we have a lot of other issues to resolve.”
Wolff made it clear that Mercedes had never expressed any interest in bringing Antonelli into F1, and suggested that the request for an exemption was made by a third party.
“I think this waiver is probably something that has gained traction because more and more people have flirted with the idea,” he said. “But it’s certainly nothing we’ve ever pushed on our own.”
Wolff said Mercedes was pleased with the progress Antonelli had made, comparing himself favorably to Ferrari’s highly-rated Jeddah debutant Oliver Bearman in F1 so far.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes tests at Imola
Photo by: Davide Cavazza
Last month he also completed a first F1 test with the 2021 Mercedes W12 at the Red Bull Ring, followed by a test at Imola in the newer but trickier-to-drive 2022 W13.
“It’s very much on the trajectory we expected,” Wolff said of his protégé’s progress.
“There are easier days, there are more difficult days. I think between the two drivers and the team they have to sort out some issues, but it’s not unexpected. And the testing is going very well. well and we approach them calmly and serenely.
“This is what we planned before the season, a strong F2 campaign and testing for Mercedes, and we will continue to do that. Everything else is just a distraction for all of us.”
“We are super happy with George [Russell]. He will continue to be a driver on this team. And everything we see happening in the driver market.
“It’s not going to happen in the next few weeks or months.”
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