Kimi Antonelli may have a desire to follow in the footsteps of Max Verstappen and compete at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, but the surprise F1 championship leader will have to wait a little longer to fulfil that dream.
Verstappen debuted in the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race in Germany over the weekend where his team led for most of the race, but a broken driveshaft forced the four-time world champion’s team off the track towards the end and they finished 38th.
Verstappen’s involvement in the race drew the attention of those in the motorsport world and also inspired Mercedes‘ teenage driver to look into competing in the future.
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Antonelli was at the centre of speculation that he may compete in the event in the future after he revealed he wants to secure a Nordschleife permit – the mandatory racing licence needed to race on the Nurburgring Nordschleife – “by the end of the year”.
Kimi Antonelli sits in the Mercedes garage with his race engineer Peter Bonnington. Getty
The 19-year-old’s comments quickly gained attraction, given he is only in his second year as an F1 driver with Mercedes. He currently leads the world drivers championship.
But Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has quickly shut down suggestions that Antonelli could be set to race outside F1 in the near future.
Asked by Nitro if Mercedes would let Antonelli get a Nurburgring permit, Lord said “no.”
“I’ve spoken to him about it. I think he meant it more as a joke,” he added.
“Maybe he could give it a try once he’s won four world championships.”
Verstappen had been exploring other motorsport ventures since voicing his concerns with the new regulations introduced in the F1 this season.
Max Verstappen drives a Mercedes-AMG GT3 during the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nurburgring. NurPhoto via Getty Images
He has labelled the regulations as being similar to playing Mario Kart, with his best finish being fifth at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month.
While he has not been the biggest fan of the new regulations, Antonelli has thrived.
The Italian driver has won four races this season, with his teammate claiming the first win of the year at the Australian Grand Prix. Antonelli came second in that race.
Verstappen and Antonelli will return to racing on May 25 (AEST) for the Canadian Grand Prix.