If Andrea Kimi Antonelli wanted to race in Formula 1 now, he would need a special permit – world champion Max Verstappen thinks this is unnecessary
Last weekend, a story away from the racetrack caused a stir during the Miami Grand Prix: The FIA received an application to grant 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli an exemption for a super license
This is necessary because Antonelli, who is regarded as a great talent, is currently not allowed to drive in Formula 1 at all, as you have to meet a number of requirements to obtain a super license. Among other things, you have to be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
“This rule was introduced because of me,” recalls world champion Max Verstappen, who once made his Formula 1 debut at the age of 17. This makes him the only driver in history to have contested a Formula 1 race at the age of less than 18.
Because there was a lot of criticism at the time about allowing such a young driver to compete in the premier class, the FIA tightened the rules for a super license. But Verstappen himself clarifies: “Ultimately, [the rule] does not prevent what it is intended for.”
This is because the FIA also introduced a points system for the super license at the time, and drivers currently have to collect at least 40 points in other series in order to be allowed to compete in a Formula 1 race at all
Verstappen “not a big fan of this whole system “
Verstappen clarifies: “It’s not specifically about [Antonelli] but it can stop some talents from getting into Formula 1 quickly because they have to collect those 40 points first. I’m not a big fan of this whole system.”
In fact, Antonelli would already have collected the 40 points in question because he won two Formula 4 series (12 points each) in 2022 and two Formula Regional Championships (18 and 25 points) in 2023. However, he currently fails to meet the age limit.
Verstappen criticizes: “The FIA thinks [this rule] is good, but I would rather not have it. If someone is 17 or 18 years old and maybe has 20 points but is very fast, why can’t they get into Formula 1? “
Verstappen himself would not have received a super license by current standards if the system had been in place in 2015. Not only would he have been too young, but he would also not have had the required super license points.
The system caused trouble once before in 2022 when Red Bull wanted to bring IndyCar driver Colton Herta into Formula 1. An exemption was also applied for back then because Herta was already a multiple IndyCar race winner but did not have enough super license points
