Exciting Debut: Frederik Vesti to Step Up with Mercedes at Bahrain Grand Prix
In a thrilling turn of events, Frederik Vesti is set to make his mark at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix by participating in Free Practice 1 with the powerhouse team Mercedes, taking the wheel of George Russell’s W16.
Vesti, a decorated Formula Regional European champion in 2019 and Formula 2 runner-up in 2023, has been a part of the Mercedes family since 2021 and currently serves as the team’s reserve driver alongside Valtteri Bottas. His impressive racing resume also includes commitments in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Cadillac.
Formula 1 regulations mandate that teams must provide track time to rookies, defined as drivers who have contested in two Grands Prix at most, in each of their cars throughout the 2025 season’s Grand Prix weekends. This rule paves the way for Vesti to showcase his skills in Bahrain, following in the footsteps of debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who fulfilled this requirement in Melbourne and Shanghai.
Expressing his anticipation for the opportunity, the 23-year-old Danish driver shared, “I am really looking forward to getting my first taste of the W16 in FP1 in Bahrain. Being able to put all of my simulator work into practice on the track is a really exciting prospect for me.”
Vesti’s enthusiasm was palpable as he added, “At the start of the year, I set myself the goal of maximizing every chance I get behind the wheel of an F1 car in 2025, and that is what I hope to achieve in Bahrain. I will be doing everything I can to help the team, George, and Kimi get set for the rest of the weekend. I am grateful to Mercedes for once again giving me this opportunity.”
This isn’t the first time Vesti has seized such an opportunity, having previously driven Mercedes’ W14 car in FP1 at the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix in 2023. Last year, incoming racer Antonelli also benefited from the required sessions, highlighting the team’s strategic approach to nurturing talent and providing valuable track time to promising drivers.
As Vesti gears up to hit the track in Bahrain, fans and experts alike are eager to witness his performance and potential as he steps into the spotlight with one of the most prestigious teams in Formula 1.