– Will Kimi Antonelli be the next Formula 1 driver after Max Verstappen on the Nordschleife? Corresponding rumors recently surfaced after the Italian himself said in a short video about the so-called “Nordschleife license” that he wanted to do it “at the end of the year.”
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The video quickly circulated on social media, but during this year’s 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has now made it clear that nothing will come of it.
“No,” he answers unequivocally to Nitro when asked if Mercedes will allow Antonelli to do the DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) this year. “I talked to him about it. I think he meant it more as a joke,” says Lord.
With a grin, he explains that Antonelli “might try it after four world championships […] as well.” A reference to Verstappen, who according to Lord “maybe has a bit more range with his experience” than the just 19-year-old Antonelli.
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Verstappen has already competed in several races on the Nordschleife and this year took part for the first time in the 24-hour race. There, he and his teammates were even in the lead before a problem with the car destroyed all hopes of victory.
Antonelli, meanwhile, is said to be focusing his “full concentration” on Formula 1, explains Mercedes deputy team principal Lord. The teenager currently leads the drivers’ world championship after recently winning three Grand Prix races in a row.
The lead over his teammate George Russell is 20 points after the first four races of the year. In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes is at the top with 180 points after winning all four races so far this season.
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