Formula 1 News: Wolff denies Antonelli will make F1 debut at Imola

(GMM) Toto Wolff has moved to shut down rumors that his 17-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli is being immediately fast-tracked into Formula 1.

The young Italian is clearly a contender to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year – and he will get a third test outing in an older F1 car next week, when he joins regular Mercedes reserve Mick Schumacher at Silverstone.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli promoted to Formula 2 with PREMA Racing for 2024

It also emerged in Miami this weekend that a team – presumably Williams – has applied to the FIA to grant Antonelli a super license prior to his 18th birthday in August.

That fired up rumors that Williams’ Logan Sargeant may be instantly sidelined ahead of the very next grand prix in Imola.

Mercedes boss Wolff ruled out that.

“We don’t want to burn Kimi out,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “Formula 1 for him in Imola would be too early.”

Wolff also denied that Mercedes is behind the request for special super license dispensation for Antonelli.

“We did not initiate this request,” he insisted. “I don’t know where this belief comes from that we are interested in moving the process forward like that.

“Kimi needs to concentrate on Formula 2 and he knows that. Everything else is just rumors.”