WILLIAMS have asked the FIA to grant Mercedes whizkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli permission to race this season.

The Italian, 17, has been tipped to break into F1 next season but the sport’s rules say a driver “must be at least 18 years old”.

Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli  is at the centre of a special plea
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Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli is at the centre of a special pleaCredit: Getty

Antonelli could even replace Lewis Hamilton next season
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Antonelli could even replace Lewis Hamilton next seasonCredit: Getty
SunSPORT understands that the request has been made by Williams’ boss James Vowles, who worked with Antonelli at Mercedes.

It means he could replace Logan Sargeant, who has been prone to a number of high profile mistakes.

American Sargeant, who is competing in his home race this weekend in Miami, was hooked out of the Australian GP earlier this year.

Williams handed his car to team-mate Alex Albon after the London-born Thai racer smashed his own car up.