107 Pursuit

Ever since the introduction of seventeen year-old Max Verstappen into Formula 1, the FIA has mandated all drivers from thereafter must be eighteen years of age when competing in the sport with their superlicense.

Above, you see Max Verstappen, aged seventeen, having been promoted to Red Bull’s junior team, Toro Rosso.

The superlicense is held by a driver in order to qualify and compete in the Formula One World Championship. Passing a theory test, completing 80% of two full seasons, and acquiring 40 points by 3 seasons, are among the handful of requirements. Annual fees are charged on the license holder and are also charged for every point earned. For instance, Lewis Hamilton paid almost $245,000 for his 2009 season.

Recently, the FIA has announced seventeen year-olds may qualify for a superlicense if they have shown extreme talent. Prompted by the request of an unknown F1 team, there has been a large amount of attention on Andrea Kimi Antonelli and his entrance into Formula 1.

This is greatly significant as Mercedes may have a few options on their hands. One, they could do a mid-season driver swap and switch out Logan Sargeant in Williams Racing for Antonelli. Two, with an open Mercedes seat as a result of Lewis Hamilton leaving to Ferrari for 2025, Toto Wolff has expressed interest in Antonelli for the seat.

The change in the superlicense regulations do not make sense for Mercedes as Antonelli will be 18 by the start of the 2025 season. A mid-season driver swap is the only matter that would make sense with the push of these new regulations.

Concern is seen throughout fans for not wanting to push Antonelli into F1 without proper practice in F2 and without ever having competed in F3 also in fear of negatively impacting his F1 career. He is sixth in F2 with Paul Aron, former Mercedes Junior team driver, leading the championship, bringing confusion around decisions in Mercedes as of lately.

Fans have also emphasized the lack of coordination within the FIA when determining eligibility for the superlicense. One particular instance is seen with INDYCAR driver Colton Herta who was denied the superlicense to make the switch into F1 with AlphaTauri due to insufficient points despite having proven himself in racing.

Antonelli has acquired enough points for a superlicense but does not fulfill other requirements of the super license such as amount of seasons completed as his age. Herta has the qualifications and experience required to race in F1 but lacks in points. Herta’s case is where an exception would be viable.

A post on X made by Indycar driver Alexander Rossi sums up the motorsport community’s views toward the value placed on Indycar drivers in F1. Alexander Rossi on X.

Will Buxton, F1 reporter, has also made comments on the situation leaning in favor for Antonelli. Will Buxton on X.

With this information in mind, Mercedes have completely shifted their focus onto Antonelli in an effort to put him into F1 this year or the next.

Essentially, F1 is bypassing their own regulations to allow the acceleration of Antonelli’s entrance and to aid drivers who are European or go through the Formula, something they have been trying to stop after Red Bull and Max Verstappen.