Major F1 rule change announced that provides huge hint over Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement

ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI’S hopes of being promoted to Mercedes’ Formula 1 driver line-up have been handed a major boost.

The FIA announced today that it has reduced the minimum age restriction to 17-years-old.

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Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025[/caption]

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Wonderkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli could take his seat at Mercedes[/caption]

The governing body will allow teens of that age to race in Formula One if they have “consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”

Antonelli has long been expected to take the vacant Mercedes seat for 2025 to partner George Russell at the team.

There is a space on the grid available as Lewis Hamilton is departing for Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion has signed a mega £100m two-year deal.

The Bologna-born Antonelli turns 18 on August 25 this year and could theoretically make his FP1 debut, or even race, prior to F1’s summer break.

It was reported that an enquiry earlier this year had been made to the FIA about granting the teenager a superlicence despite him not yet being 18.

Antonelli has been supported by Mercedes since he raced in karts and chief Toto Wolff recently dropped a major hint that he would be driving in F1 next season.

At the Canada Grand Prix last week, Wolff said: “Carlos Sainz deserves a top seat. He’s done a fantastic job.

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Inside track on Hamilton’s life

LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.

The British speedster lives life in the fast lane both on and off the track, with a string of high-profile romances and jet-set lifestyle.

Hamilton made his name at McLaren and Mercedes but stunned the racing world by signing a £100million deal to join Ferrari for next season.

His exploits have seen him rub shoulders with Hollywood icon Brad Pitt but Lew snubbed the chance to feature in Top Gun 2.

And fans can follow his fortunes on the latest season of Netflix’s smash hit Drive To Survive.

Hamilton’s talent saw him go from humble origins in Stevenage to boasting an £11m car collection.

He joined celeb dating app Raya after splitting from Brazilian beauty Juliana Nalu.

And his exes are said to include Rita Ora, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger.

Hamilton was embroiled in a bitter feud with Nico Rosberg but the pair buried the hatchet to sport £35k watches they were given for FREE.

He also shared high-profile battles with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

But his most shocking showdown saw Max Verstappen handed the World Championship over him by a controversial safety car decision.

The Brit is chasing a record eighth world title – the first of which came in 2008 and has seen Felipe Masa sue F1 for £62m after a crash saw him miss out.

“But for us, we’ve embarked on a route now.

“We want to reinvent ourselves a little bit going forward and Kimi Antonelli definitely plays a part in that.”

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