Why F1's junior logjam isn't entirely a product of current issues

OPINION: When even the champions of ‘feeder series’ are considered charmed to be granted a Formula 1 graduation, it’s no surprise memories are stirred of a radically different era. Grand prix racing's reluctance to admit another team that would give young drivers a chance doesn't help, but it's not the only factor behind the lack of opportunities for promising young guns

Updated Feb 7, 2024, 10:18 AM

One of the byproducts from last week’s news of the impending shock transfer of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari was that it raised speculation, through a handy hint from Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff that it may be “an opportunity to do something bold”, that the Three-Pointed Star’s 17-year-old sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli may be called upon to fill the seven-time world champion’s sizeable shoes in 2025.

Young Antonelli would be the lucky one. The Italian is clearly a sensational talent, about to embark upon his first season in Formula 2 as the reigning (but hardly dominant) title holder from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. He may well win the F2 crown, although he does have the not inconsiderable obstacle of Ferrari protege – and Haas F1-destined? – Ollie Bearman working out of the same Prema Racing awning for 2024.

Author Marcus Simmons

Marcus Simmons is the Deputy Editor of Autosport magazine. As a child he was a regular on the chalk banks of Thruxton – hence his unhealthy obsession with 1970s Formula 2 and F3 – before he became an MSA timekeeper at the age of 17. At 19, his reporting debut for Motoring News arguably overshadowed Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal as the sporting moment of June 1986, and he joined the staff in 1990 after graduating from his degree course in Plymouth. A parallel Formula First career – which was as incident-packed as his childhood exploits in show-jumping and hunter trials – finished when he wrote off his car and put himself in hospital in 1991.

Marcus moved to Autosport in the summer of 1996. Since then he has had two stints as a freelancer and a brief spell as editor of Motor Sport magazine, during which the revered green cover was revived, before he rejoined Autosport in 2008. He lives in Teddington with his wife (who, gratifyingly, grew up within earshot of Castle Combe), daughter, stepson, dog, cat and guitars, and additionally has an adult daughter and stepson.