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Speculation over Antonelli’s early access to an F1 seat this year has intensified following the Mercedes junior being given extra days to test a 2021 car to get him up to speed on big-bike machinery. price.
Additionally, it emerged over the Miami GP weekend that an application had been made to the FIA for Antonelli to obtain an F1 superlicence, despite not having reached the minimum age 18 years old before August.
It is not clear which team this request comes from, nor whether it is just a training license or a full racing place.
Suggestions indicated that it was Williams who was looking to evaluate Antonelli with a view to potentially replacing Sargeant if the American did not turn around his disappointing start to the campaign.
Speaking in Miami on Friday, Williams team principal James Vowles downplayed talk he was pushing for Antonelli but admitted Sargeant needed to improve his game.
“I don’t know anything about what’s happening with Mercedes testing at the moment,” Vowles said.
“We’re looking, like everyone else, where we want to be in the driver line-up for next year. And we have our own young driver program.
James Matthews, CEO of Eden Rock, James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“In Kimi’s case. I can’t really judge his level. If he gets in the car this year, I’ve always said it from the beginning, it’s a meritocracy.
“Logan has to earn his place and at the moment he has tough goals where he has to get much closer to Alex. But there are no plans at the moment to replace him.”
Any move to obtain approval for a superlicense for Antonelli would require the support of the various FIA safety commissions.
Asked about the exemption request for minor Antonelli, an FIA spokesperson said: “We have received this request and we are examining it. But there is a process to follow and multiple people/committees have to vote on it and agree to it because it requires a rule change.
Although Antonelli’s entry into F1 would be exciting, Vowles said his biggest problem at the moment was not the performance of his drivers, but rather getting the most out of his car.
“We have much bigger problems to solve right now than the pilots,” he explained.
“Alex has done championship level races and, at the moment, he is not scoring any points. Basically, we have a responsibility to improve our car in the future. This is my main concern more than anything else.
“What we’re doing with the drivers going into 2025/26, a lot of us here are just figuring out where we’re going to be basically for next year. Options are on the table, but it’s way too early to say it.
Logan Sargeant, Williams FW46
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“In Kimi’s sense, you have to remember that it was barely 20 months ago that he was in an F4. It’s a big step towards an F1 car in such a short time. »
For now, Vowles said his job is to do everything he can to help Sargeant in his task of getting faster.
“At the end of the year [2023], he approached Alex, which is what I want him to do. But this progression had to continue. He had to be at the point where he wasn’t sitting a tenth behind him, but rather challenging him, outqualifying him, and basically outpacing him. We are still on this path.
He added: “But as I’ve said all along, it’s a meritocracy: earn your spot now, and he’s still got work to do.
“But he is also one of the top 20 F1 drivers in the world on the grid and there is a reason for that. Here in Miami and at his home grand prix, I put him on my shoulders and support him because that’s what we should be doing at this point He’s in the car He’ll stay in the car and my job here is to support him.
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