Kimi Antonelli debuts in Imola? You need to see the F1 rules

The networks were agitated by the information published this week by journalist Joe Saward on his blog saying that Williams would exchange Logan Sargeant for Kimi Antonelli from the Emilia Romagna GP on May 19th.

According to the respected journalist, it would be in Mercedes’ interest to loan the young Italian to start getting more track time with a current F1 and the Germans would claim that the FIA ​​had no problem with Max Verstappen debuting in F1 under the age of 17 and that is not the case now. would be an impediment.

Reinforcing what Saward said in his text, it would be a beautiful story for the category: a young man making his debut at home. It would be great for the FIA ​​and F1 and create good attention for everyone. But you need to look at the situation calmly…

The creation of the current forms for issuing the Super License came precisely after Max Verstappen entered F1. Not for nothing, the rule was nicknamed after the driver and came to try to stop the early entries of drivers and force them to follow the path of the FIA’s base categories.

Currently, the issuance of a pilot’s license is governed by Annex L of the FIA ​​International Sporting Code. What specifically deals with the Super License is Art.13. Right from the start, item 13.1 describes the qualifications that a pilot must have to obtain the document: Have a Grade A license (13.1.1); have a valid driver’s license when you make your first application (13.1.2) and; be at least 18 years old at the start of the event of your first F1 competition.

Here lies the big problem: Kimi Antonelli is 17 years old and turns 18 on 08/25. At this point, the Italian could only debut at Monza (30/08 to 01/09). Even to participate in a Free Training, Antonelli would have to be 18 years old (Item 13.2.3 of the same Annex L, which deals with the Special TL License).

It is also worth mentioning the F1 Sporting Regulations, in Art. 4.1, which states that “all drivers, competitors and commissioners participating in the Championship must have an FIA Super License. Applications for Super Licenses must be made annually to the FIA ​​through Local Sporting Authorities.”

Of the other requirements for issuing the Super License, which must be requested by the team from the driver’s local Federation, Antonelli meets: he has more than 40 points accumulated in 3 seasons in other categories (55 are valid) and already has more than 300 km in a modern F1.

With all this exposed, there would have to be a major agreement for Kimi Antonelli to make his debut in Imola in accordance with the current rules. Check out the next chapters.