FIA adjusts 'Verstappen rule' and clears way for Antonelli's F1 debut

On Tuesday 11 June, the FIA made an amendment to the International Sporting Code. This includes the rules for getting a super licence and what requirements drivers must meet to compete in certain events. These changes are working out well for Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Since Verstappen's debut in F1 at the age of 17, the FIA has used a rule to ensure that no one can debut in the sport that early again. Despite Verstappen's debut being a great success, drivers after Verstappen were not allowed to debut in the sport at that age.

Verstappen rule changed

In fact, the FIA introduced a minimum age of 18 and the driver also had to have a valid driving licence in his or her pocket. The latter rule has now been completely removed from the sporting regulations. While the minimum age of eighteen has remained, an exception to the rule has been placed below it:

"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."

In doing so, the FIA is responding to a request previously made by Williams. The British team made enquiries with the FIA to put Antonelli in the car in place of Logan Sargeant as early as 2024. Mercedes was not eager to put its young talent in F1 right now and Mercedes wants Antonelli himself to debut at Mercedes in 2025. So whether Williams will still make use of this rule is uncertain. Mercedes does not need the rule before 2025, as Antonelli will be 18 years old by then.

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy