But speculation that Antonelli could replace Sargeant this season gathered pace during the Miami Grand Prix weekend after the FIA received a request to waive the superlicence minimum age requirement, given the Italian is yet to turn 18.
“I feel like, I mean, jumping in FP1 this weekend the most comfortable I felt all year and I feel like I was straightaway on it.
“If I look since Australia, I feel like it’s been going relatively well, from a pace front. Japan, getting almost everything out of it. Of course, China was disappointing, but again here [Saturday at Miami], I feel like I did a good job. So… just looking for that last tenth. But nonetheless, just enjoying it, being home and keep delivering the best I can.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli drives Mercedes W12
Asked if there had been discussions with Williams team principal James Vowles over the security of his seat, Sargeant replied: “No, I wouldn’t say. I wouldn’t say so, no. I talked to James internally. I talked to my managers.
Pressed on whether he was given assurances from Vowles, the American added: “That’s all internal talk. I’m not gonna say anything.”
