Ben Sulayem recalls checking Antonelli’s age before signing superlicence

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem remembers being surprised by the age on Kimi Antonelli’s superlicence form in early 2025: the Italian was 18. Ben Sulayem had to sign the paperwork to issue the licence.

Speaking to Viaplay ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, Ben Sulayem recalled looking at the form and asking, “18 years old?” He said he checked Antonelli’s age with the team.

Ben Sulayem also praised Antonelli’s attitude, saying he never complains and seems to absorb stress and benefit from it. He said Formula 1 politics do not concern Antonelli; in Ben Sulayem’s telling, the driver cares only about racing and winning.