Frederik Vesti has joined Mercedes’ Formula One Junior Programme ahead of the 2021 season.
Vesti join the Silver Arrows after a strong rookie Formula Three campaign in 2020, where he finished fourth with three race wins.
Speaking on his decision to join Mercedes’ Junior Programme, Vesti said; “To now be working with Mercedes, the best team in the world, is a massive boost for my career and I am really looking forward to building a powerful relationship in the future.”
Vesti also admitted that he has for years dreamed of being a junior driver for Mercedes, adding that the “… motivation has lifted me every single day” to achieve this ambition.
Mercedes have already guided Pascal Wehrlein, Esteban Ocon and George Russell into F1 through the junior ranks, which impressed Vesti, saying; “I admire Mercedes so much for their mentality and their hard-working attitude, which has helped them become so successful.”
Vesti however wasn’t on the fact that Mercedes are very meticulous is how they select their junior drivers, which has ‘really excited’ Vesti who aims to work with the team to develop his driving skills.
Mercedes’ Driver Development Advisor, Gwen Lagrue praised Vesti for his “commitment and dedication” which are qualities which Mercedes love to see in youngsters and in turn commands huge respect from the team.
Vesti though has always been keen to secure a position on Mercedes’ programme for young drivers as Lagrue recalls, saying; “I remember him sending me updates on his debut seasons in single seaters and letting us know details of his progress, which is something we always appreciate.”
Lagrue also pointed to Vesti’s title in 2019 Formula Renault European Championship followed by a fourth-placed finish in F3 last season as “impressive” and “very consistent” and confirmed Vesti will return to F3 in 2021 with the aim of fighting for the title.
Vesti though has lost his PREMA drive in the third-tier category with the Italian team instead opting to field Dennis Hauger, Arthur Leclerc and Olli Caldwell for the new season.
He will instead move to ART Grand Prix with the 19 year-old Danish driver looking to push for the title and “to evolve further as a driver and learn to work within a new environment.”
Vesti however believes that the move and collaboration between himself, ART and Mercedes is the start of “an incredibly exciting journey” given ART’s success with young drivers whilst mainly focusing on data and driver development.
ART GP however are a French team though and Vesti has “never learned any French in school” although he admitted that he has spent the off-season learning the French language in an demonstration to show how committed he is.
ART Team Principal, Sebastien Philippe praised Vesti for providing ‘formidable’ opposition in F3 last season, although he did admit that the Dane lacked success to take the title last season.
Philippe however was impressed with Vesti upon joining the team for post-season testing in Barcelona, Spain, during autumn, saying; “He merged into the ART Grand Prix mold and immediately met our expectations in terms of technical feedback, reliability and speed.”
Vesti will partner Aleksandr Smolyar who remains with the French team for a second consecutive season.
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