Mercedes have banned Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli from competing at the Nurburgring in the near-future.
Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen competed in the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race in Germany over the weekend.
The Dutchman’s team led the race for several hours, but eventually finished down in 38th due to a broken driveshaft.
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There has been widespread speculation that Antonelli, 19, could follow Verstappen into competing at the Nurburgring after the teenage sensation revealed he would like to obtain his Nordschleife permit “by the end of the year”.
This permit is a mandatory racing license required to compete in major motorsport events on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
The comment raise eyebrows given Antonelli is only in his second year in F1 — where he is leading the Drivers’ Championship after three wins from the opening four races.
But Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has poured cold water on the idea of Antonelli’s Nurburgring debut.
Speaking to Nitro at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, the Silver Arrows’ boss was asked if he would allow Antonelli to obtain the permit this year, to which he replied: “No. I’ve spoken to him about it. I think he meant it more as a joke.”
With a smile, Lord went on to jovially suggest Antonelli may “give it a try after four world championships,” referencing Verstappen’s recent move.
Verstappen’s decision to explore other ventures comes after voicing his disapproval at F1’s 2026 regulations — which he likened to “Mario Kart”.
By contrast, Antonelli’s Mercedes team are thriving under having won all four races this season.
George Russell claimed the opening win in Australia, but Antonelli has roared back to take successive victories in China, Japan and Miami.
It means heading into this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix that Antonelli boasts a 20-point lead over George Russell, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc a further 21 points back.
Mercedes also already have a 70-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.
