Racing
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Mercedes has ruled out Kimi Antonelli taking the Nürburgring Nordschleife permit this year, with deputy team principal Bradley Lord saying the 19-year-old must keep his full focus on Formula 1.
Speaking to Nitro at the 24 Hours Nürburgring, Lord gave a blunt answer when asked whether Antonelli would be allowed to complete the DMSB Permit Nordschleife in 2025. "No," he said. Lord added that he had already discussed the idea with Antonelli and believed the Mercedes driver "meant it more as a joke."
The speculation had grown after Antonelli said in a short video about a "Nordschleife driving licence" that he wanted to do it "at the end of the year," prompting talk that he could become the next current F1 driver after Max Verstappen to race on the Nordschleife.
Lord made clear Mercedes sees no room for that distraction while Antonelli's F1 season is developing so strongly. The Italian leads the drivers' championship after winning the last three Grands Prix, and he holds a 20-point advantage over team-mate George Russell after four races. Mercedes has won all four races so far and leads the constructors' standings on 180 points.
With a smile, Lord said Antonelli could "maybe give it a try after four world championships," a clear nod to Verstappen. He added that Verstappen "perhaps has a bit more range thanks to his experience" than Antonelli, who is only 19.
That comparison carries weight because Verstappen already has several Nordschleife races behind him and made his 24-hour Nürburgring debut this year. Verstappen.com Racing Mercedes led for much of the race before a driveshaft problem ended its chance of victory.
For Mercedes, that only sharpened the point. Antonelli's immediate job is not expanding his schedule into endurance racing, but protecting a championship lead that has quickly made him central to both title fights.