Vesti to drive Mercedes in FP1 in Mexico

Denmark’s Frederik Vesti, at the moment second within the F2 championship, is to drive within the opening session of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend.

The 21-year-old obtained his first style of F1 equipment within the end-of-season younger driver check in Abu Dhabi final 12 months. He accomplished 124 laps within the W13, describing it as “probably the most unimaginable day.” This may subsequently be his second expertise in an F1 automobile and can fulfil one of many two FP1 classes wherein the group should run a rookie.

Vesti, in his sophomore season within the class, is at the moment second within the F2 championship with three rounds of the season to come back. He has taken 4 victories and three different podium finishes, together with a surprising function race win on the streets of Monaco. He joined the group’s junior driver programme in 2021 and is a former winner of the Method Regional European Championship.

“I am extremely proud to be doing the FP1 session in Mexico Metropolis with the group,” he stated, “it is a dream come true. To suppose in lower than two months that I will be doing my first official F1 session with Mercedes, who’ve received eight consecutive constructors’ championships, is superb.

“This has been my dream since I used to be very younger and one thing I have been preventing for by means of my entire junior profession. It is taken loads of exhausting work, and this can be a crucial step for me on my journey.

“To have the ability to develop myself in an F1 automobile alongside a few of the greatest drivers on the planet is one thing I am wanting ahead to. I wish to thank Mercedes for this unimaginable alternative, in addition to my sponsors and supervisor for at all times believing in me. I am unable to wait to be driving W14 for the primary time.”

“Fred has executed a powerful Method 2 marketing campaign to date this season,” added Toto Wolff. “Driving in an FP1 session is the subsequent step in his growth and we’re wanting ahead to giving him that chance.

“He’s a gifted younger driver, not solely fast however considerate, and he understands precisely what the Staff is searching for from him within the automobile. I’m certain he’ll carry out properly and supply a stable place to begin for our work over the weekend.”

“Fred acquitted himself faultlessly within the younger driver check final 12 months,” stated Andre Shovlin, “so we’re wanting ahead to having him within the automobile as soon as once more.

“He is proven what he’s able to in F2 this 12 months, combining robust tempo with consistency. Fred has been a part of the Staff for a number of years now and has been a key a part of our simulator growth and set-up programme.

“We’re subsequently wanting ahead to giving him his first working in an F1 session on a Grand Prix weekend; that will probably be one other helpful step in his growth and show helpful in having the ability to correlate the real-world automobile together with his work again in Brackley. I am certain he’ll benefit from the expertise.”