F1 News: FIA will now allow 17-year old Antonelli to race in F1

The FIA has changed its Sporting Code (Appendix L of its International Sporting Code) to allow 17-year-olds like Italian Kimi Antonelli to race in Formula 1 if they meet certain requirements.

Article 13.1.2 of Appendix L reads: “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 License at the age of 17 years old.”

This would allow Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli to race in F1 this year before his 18th birthday on August 25th.

Since Lewis Hamilton to moving to Ferrari next year, and Mercedes does not want him to steal any more of their secrets, Toto Wolff could put Hamilton on gardening leave immediately and pay him to sit at home and tend to his garden. And he could put Antonelli in the car to replace him.

Alternately, Antonelli could replace American Logan Sargeant at Williams effective immediately, and then he could be moved to the Mercedes team next year. Sargeant has proven time and time again, F1 is too hard for him and he should step down to IndyCar in 2025.