“Toto Wolff and corruption go hand in hand”: Fans reject Formula 1 making exception for Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes debut

F1 fans were left raging after FIA updated their super licence rules that might enable Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli to make his F1 debut in the 2024 season. The Italian driver has been the talk of the town since the beginning of the season and has been touted as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton in the German team.

However, it was difficult for Antonelli to get a seat in F1 given that he is still 17, which does not comply with the superlicence rules. But the governing body recently tweaked the rules regarding the superlicence and said:

“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 updated rule would allow Kimi Antonelli to start in the FP1 sessions for Williams F1 and Mercedes while opening the door for a full-time seat this year.

F1 fans took to social media to give their reactions on FIA updating the super licence rules on X, with some fans pointing the blame to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, saying:

"Toto and corruption go hand in hand," wrote a fan.

Another fan claimed:

"We know Toto is the one that makes the rules but this is ridiculous."

Another wrote:

"By the corruption and mafia of Mercedes, wonder how Red Bull able to win 3 champs. This sport is rotten to hell."

"Rule change to help Mercedes imagine my shock," said another fan.

Former F1 world champion gives his take on Kimi Antonelli's potential move to Mercedes

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg stated that he accepted that the F2 driver had 'exceptional' talent but was adamant that he needed time and that joining the Brackley-based team would be too soon for him.

As per Sky Sports, the German said:

"Antonelli is definitely a superstar of the future but unfortunately timing-wise it's really too early for him, and especially too early for Toto to be able to make a decision on Antonelli.

"He needs to wait until somewhat later in the year as we see how Antonelli does in F2 also because he does need a really strong season in F2 to make it a possibility for him to go straight to Mercedes. Otherwise, if anything, some time at Williams or a team like that would make sense."

Kimi Antonelli is currently P6 in the F2 standings with 48 points after five rounds in the 2024 season. He is yet to score a podium in the series with Prema Racing, with P4 in Imola and Melbourne being his best results thus far. The Italian is 32 points behind the leader Paul Aron with six rounds remaining.