Vesti in at Mercedes for Bahrain GP FP1 outing
Motorsport photo
Frederik Vesti will take part in Free Practice 1 with Mercedes at Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix, driving George Russell's W16.
A Formula Regional European champion in 2019 and Formula 2 runner-up in 2023, Vesti has been on Mercedes' books since 2021, currently acting as the team's reserve driver alongside Valtteri Bottas – on top of his racing commitments in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Cadillac.
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F1 regulations state that teams must run rookies – drivers who have competed in two grands prix at most – twice in each of their cars over the 2025 season's grand prix weekends.
Debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already fulfilled this requirement in Melbourne and Shanghai on his side of the garage, and Vesti is set to do likewise with, at first, his Bahrain appearance.
'I am really looking forward to getting my first taste of the W16 in FP1 in Bahrain,' the 23-year-old Dane said. 'Being able to put all of my simulator work into practice on the track is a really exciting prospect for me.
Frederik Vesti, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Frederik Vesti, Reserve Driver, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
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'At the start of the year, I set myself the goal of maximising 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.'
Similar rules previously allowed Vesti to drive Mercedes' W14 car in FP1 at the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi grands prix in 2023, while last year the required sessions had been given to incoming racer Antonelli.
At least two other rookies will take part in FP1 at Sakhir, with Ferrari protege Dino Beganovic driving Charles Leclerc's SF-25 machinery, while Oliver Bearman will cede his Haas car to Ryo Hirakawa following the latter's recent switch from Alpine.
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Hirakawa switches from Alpine to Haas as 2025 F1 reserve driver
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