Kimi Antonelli in FP1 with Mercedes at Monza
The Italian driver, currently in Formula 2, is about to enjoy his first official Formula 1 experience. Mercedes has announced that it will give Kimi Antonelli the wheel of one of its two cars during the first free practice session at Monza this weekend. This decision confirms his transfer to Williams for the rest of the season.
There will indeed be an Italian driver this weekend at Monza. Sunday evening, after the Dutch Grand Prix, the boss of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, confirmed the participation of his young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the first free practice session this weekend in Italy, his home country. A decision that comes within the framework of the FIA regulations, which require each team to have their young drivers drive in at least two free practice sessions in place of each regular driver.
A great birthday gift for someone who has just celebrated their 18th birthday and will therefore be able to drive an F1 car for the first time in real conditions, in an official session.
« We are going to do the FP1 with Kimi in Monza, which will be a really emotional moment. To see him go out on Friday in FP1 at Monza, in front of the tifosi, with a young Italian in a competitive car, I think it will be something that everyone in Italy can be very proud of. And then, we will see how it evolves », said Toto Wolff, aware that to further progress, he must make him drive in a Formula 1 car.
After several tests at Mercedes in single-seaters from 2021 or 2022 at Imola, on the Red Bull Ring or at Spa, the Italian, currently 7th in the Formula 2 drivers’ championship, will therefore be able to drive a car from this year during his home race. The young driver is delighted with this opportunity, especially since it will take place in his home country.
« Participating in my first free practice session 1 is going to be really special. I am really excited to drive the W15 and to share the track with so many amazing drivers. I can’t wait! Making my F1 debut in front of my home crowd is also incredible. I am looking forward to learning a lot, but also to contributing to the team’s weekend. » The winner of two races this season is therefore full of optimism, ready to get in the car in front of his home crowd.
This choice, although great for him, excludes him from the seat race at Williams this season, Toto Wolff having ruled out the possibility of loaning his young Italian driver to the Grove team, which is considering replacing Sargeant from Monza after another disappointing weekend for the American, culminating in his major crash during the third free practice session, which had prevented him from participating in the qualifying session.
« He will not drive for Williams (if James Vowles decides to remove Sargeant, editor’s note). He will remain on the test program that we have prepared for him. I think that the best thing for him is to continue the program as we have decided, with tests in old F1 cars and in F2, and see how it goes, rather than disrupt our plan and give him the opportunity to drive for Williams.
The Austrian, therefore, prefers to let Antonelli gain experience in Formula 2 in order to best prepare for his arrival in Formula 1 next year at Mercedes, while continuing the tests he carries out with old Formula 1 cars from the German manufacturer. We will have to wait until 2025 to see Antonelli drive a Formula 1 car, as Mercedes indeed announced his arrival for next year this weekend in Monza.
