World motorsport's governing body has made a key change to its rules that could open the door for Mercedes to test a 17-year-old at an F1 grand prix this year.
As it stands, the minimum age for a driver to hold a super licence required to go racing is 18 years old.
However, a caveat has been added to Appendix L of the International Sporting Code that gives the FIA discretion for a special dispensation.
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That has implications for a free practice-only super licence, meaning Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli could participate at an F1 grand prix before his 18th birthday.
Antonelli will turn 18 on August 25 but there are five events before then in which Mercedes could give the teenager a run in practice.
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The updated segment reads: "At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years old."
Antonelli has been linked to the seat set to be vacated by Lewis Hamilton and has been undertaking an extensive testing program with the Silver Arrows this year.
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The Italian teenager has enjoyed success in the junior formula ranks already, winning Formula 4 titles in Italy and Germany.
Last year he won the Formula Regional championship in Europe and the Middle East and skipped the Formula 3 series to go straight into Formula 2 this year.
Antonelli is yet to win a race in Formula 2 after five events but nevertheless has the backing of Mercedes to replace their Ferrari-bound seven-time champion Hamilton.
Rumours emerged earlier this year that Mercedes had lobbied the FIA to change its rules allowing younger drivers to race.
The changes to the rules mean Antonelli could partake in practice or even race at the FIA's discretion.
It was rumoured Mercedes would force Logan Sargeant out of his Williams seat to give Antonelli a head start before joining the German manufacturer.
However, Williams team principal James Vowles denied that would happen.
Whether Mercedes would forfeit Hamilton for a practice session is unclear. It's more likely that Antonelli would participate in practice with Williams, for example.
The F1 season continues on June 23 with the Spanish Grand Prix.
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