The pressure is beginning to build on several drivers in the Formula 1 paddock with contracts coming to an end and the grid beginning to fill up for 2025.
The latest pair to earn new contracts were Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda and they celebrated their new deals by both spinning during the Canadian Grand Prix.
Speaking on the Missed Apex Podcast, journalist Joe Saward shared the latest information he’s heard about the F1 driver’s market.
Mid-season changes on the Formula 1 grid are frequent occurrences and one of the reasons why Daniel Ricciardo is now driving for RB.
The talent pool of young drivers waiting for their opportunity to step up into the sport is only increasing given the lack of opportunities handed out to rookies in recent years.
However, Saward believes that one youngster could be seen in Formula 1 very soon.
He’s now suggested that Williams driver Logan Sargeant could be replaced by Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli in time for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The young American driver knows he’s on thin ice after crashing out in Canada and his team principal James Vowles publicly courting another driver on the grid for 2025.
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Logan Sargeant could be replaced by Kimi Antonelli at Silverstone
When the safety car came out for the first time at the Canadian Grand Prix, fans were eagerly waiting to see which driver had made the first key mistake of the race.
Those watching on TV wouldn’t have noticed a driver tumbling down the standings and that’s because Logan Sargeant was already running in last place.
He had a very strong Saturday by his standards, reaching Q2 and outqualifying the likes of Sergio Perez.
However, Sargeant made a mistake early in the race that dropped him down the order but he did well to avoid any real damage and to keep the car going after spinning at turn six.
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Unfortunately, Sargeant has struggled to match his teammate although he’s not always had the same parts as Alex Albon.
James Vowles is desperate to hire Carlos Sainz and has already made a satisfactory offer for the Spaniard for next year.
However, Williams might move to bring in a driver in the interim to replace Sargeant before Sainz becomes available in 2025 and that might be Kimi Antonelli.
The young Italian has stepped up to Formula 2 from FRECA this year and while he hasn’t scored a podium yet, he’s impressed senior staff at Mercedes in his behind-closed-doors F1 tests.
With the FIA lowering the age needed to obtain a Super License to 17, Antonelli is suddenly a much more available prospect.
READ MORE: Who is Mercedes academy driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli? Everything you need to know
Kimi Antonelli could make his Formula 1 debut even earlier than expected
Asked if the changing of the superlicense age is to bring Antonelli in before the end of the season, Saward said: “I would say you’ll be able to answer that after the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend when the Williams team announces Carlos Sainz and then it will be obvious that they want somebody else in for the rest of the year.”
Saward was then asked if that mate we would see Antonelli replace Sargeant at Silverstone and he added: “Yes, probably.”
Kimi Antonelli arrived in F2 with an incredible reputation and many were expecting him to dominate the series despite being the youngest driver at that level.
Instead, he’s steadily improved at every round and although he’s yet to stand below an Italian flag on the podium, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s challenging for race wins.
The step up between Formula 2 and Formula 1 is huge and Antonelli would need time to adapt.
Whether that makes him a better option for Williams until the end of the season instead of Sargeant is a tough call.
However, the influence of Mercedes on the team may end up making the final call for the team.
The post ‘Yes probably’: Journalist believes first F1 driver swap of the season could now happen at Silverstone appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
