The FIA has changed the Super Licence age requirement from 18 to 17 years old. This comes after a request for 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli to receive a licence early.
The FIA has changed Appendix L of the International Sporting Code. Adding a clause that states: while the minimum age for the Super Licence required to drive in F1 is 18 years old, special dispensation may be given to certain drivers to receive on at 17.
This change affects both a full super licence and a free practice-only super licence.
A super licence is the licence required for a driver to race in F1. Driver’s must complete a series of qualifications with a few of the requirements being: holding a valid driver’s licence, passing an FIA theory test, being at least 18 and collecting 40 super licence points. Moreover, points are gained by placing the top ten in the various feeder series. With more points awarded for higher finishing positions.
However, the FIA will hold sole discretion over whether a driver should be given a super licence early. Article 13.1.2 of Appendix L reading: “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 Licence at the age of 17 years old.”
The focus of this change has been the 17-year-old Italian Mercedes junior driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli remains the primary choice for Mercedes in 2025. Alongside George Russell.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli joined the Mercedes junior driver program back in 2019. He has had an impressive career so far. Winning: Italian F4, ADAC F4, FIA Motorsport Games Formula 4 Cup, Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European Championship.
2024 saw him skip out F3 in the ladder to F1, moving straight to F2 with PREMA. Fully supported by the Mercedes F1 Team. Clearly showing the ‘outstanding ability’ the FIA requires to give a licence early.
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has made it clear that the future of the German team is the Italian driver. Placing the driver on the same level as a young Max Verstappen.
Though there is speculation this change will lead to Antonelli replacing Williams’ driver Logan Sargaent.
However, it is more likely that this change will be used to put Antonelli in the Merc seat for a few free practice sessions. Continuing the program of testing, Mercedes has already begun for the Italian Driver, in Austria and Silverstone.
Allowing them to see if he is ready for the 2025 seat sooner than his 18th birthday in August. Especially with such a tumultuous driver market.
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.