Confirming two exits per rookie per car for the 2025 F1 season, George Russell has called on the FIA to exempt them from the cost cap in the event of a problem, after Kimi Antonelli destroyed his W14 at Monza.
Antonelli, who was one of Mercedes F1’s young drivers’ outings for the 2024 season, was at the wheel of Russell’s Mercedes for the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix.
But while the Italian showed impressive pace to be fastest on his very first flying lap, he pushed too hard on his second and lost control of the car.
Losing the rear of the W14 in the high-speed Parabolica, the 18-year-old spun into the gravel where he hit the barriers with an impact at 52G.
Russell was forced to miss the opening minutes of FP2 while Mercedes worked to repair his car.
Antonelli recently admitted: “Russell wasn’t very happy, but before I went out to Parabolica I was in great shape. I have a good relationship with George, he hasn’t given me much advice, but so far everything “I’m fine.”
The 2025 Mercedes driver will be back in the car during FP1 in Mexico (in Lewis Hamilton’s car), with Russell saying that while it’s great that young people are getting this opportunity, perhaps their adventures should be excluded from the F1 budget cap.
“For FP1, I think it’s great to give the opportunity to young people, but maybe if there is damage due to an accident it shouldn’t be within the budget cap.”
“You know, we are all very close to the financial regulations. If a young driver were to damage the car, then maybe that should be separated.”
“Next year there will be 4 outings for young people instead of 2, so there is a potential risk of damage.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted Antonelli’s crash at Monza was probably only his first in Formula 1…
“Those moments will happen and will continue to happen next year, but there will also be a lot of highlights. The budget always takes into account accidents, within the usual average. There are years where you have some luck and others much less.”
“But I like George’s idea! We’ll see about proposing it to the F1 Commission.”
