Mercedes have announced that Frederik Vesti will drive for the team in FP1 at 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix.
Vesti currently sits second in F2 after losing the title lead to Theo Pourchaire at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, but has impressed Mercedes enough with four wins and three further podium finishes as he looks to fight for this season’s F2 title.
The 21 year-old Dane also has already driven for Mercedes in F1 machinery, having completed 124 laps in the 2022 Post-Season Test in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking about his opportunity to drive for Mercedes on a Grand Prix weekend as he looks to prepare for a potential move into F1 next season, Vesti commented: “I’m incredibly proud to be doing the FP1 session in Mexico City with the Team – it’s a dream come true.”
Reflecting upon the importance of this opportunity, Vesti added: “This has been my dream since I was very young and something I’ve been fighting for through my whole junior career. It’s taken a lot of hard work, and this is a very important step for me on my journey.
“To be able to develop myself in an F1 car alongside some of the best drivers in the world is something I’m looking forward to.”
Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff meanwhile praised Vesti for how he has “executed” his “impressive” F2 campaign amidst tough competition from Pourchaire, Ayumu Iwasa and PREMA teammate – Oliver Bearman.
Wolff also iterated that this FP1 opportunity marks “the next step in his development” as he applauded Vesti for his awareness of what the team needs, which he explained: “He is a talented young driver, not only quick but thoughtful, and he understands exactly what the Team is looking for from him in the car.”
Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin meanwhile described Vesti’s ability to adapt to F1 machinery as “faultlessly” positive after his drive in Abu Dhabi which he has taken into F2 this season, “combining strong pace with consistency.”
Vesti will drive in FP1 at 2023 Mexico City GP on Friday 27 October.
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