Antonelli achieves new milestone ahead of F1 debut
F1 News
- Sandy van Wijngaarden
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has achieved another milestone in his life: The young Italian has obtained his driving licence. Incidentally, he got it after getting his super licence.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has obtained his driving licence. The Mercedes driver shared this on Instagram. Before this, however, he had already obtained his F1 super license after the FIA issued a special dispensation from the rules which only allow drivers over the age of 18 years old to make their F1 debut, at the request of Williams Racing, some time ago.
Super licence even before having a driver's licence
After Max Verstappen became the youngest driver ever to make his F1 debut at the age of 17 and 166 days, the minimum age requirements for a superlicence were changed to 18 years old and older.
In mid-2024, the FIA decided to adjust these rules. Indeed, with the approval of the governing body, it was possible for drivers to get a super licence under the age of 18 and without a driving licence.
In the same week of his eighteenth birthday, Antonelli made his debut with Mercedes, during the first free practice session at Monza, which ended abruptly for the Italian when put his car in the wall in front of his home crowd at Parabolica. Yet not much later it was announced that he will drive for Mercedes in 2025.
The 18-year-old did not yet have a car licence. That has now changed. Antonelli took to Instagram to show off his accomplishment ahead of the 2025 season.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
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